In Durban, protesters dressed in traditional Zulu attire assembled in a public park carrying sticks and shields while chanting "abahambe", meaning "Let them go", under the watch of heavily deployed security personnel.
Thousands of foreign nationals scrambled to leave South Africa on Tuesday as authorities flooded major cities with security personnel, as anti-immigrant protesters stormed streets following the June 30 ultimatum issued by xenophobic groups, raising fears of widespread attacks despite government efforts to maintain order.
Police officers were deployed across key cities, including Johannesburg and Durban, to prevent attacks, looting and unrest linked to the campaign by xenophobic groups, while many businesses remained closed and normally busy streets appeared unusually quiet.
Thousands of foreign nationals gathered at consulates, temporary shelters and assembly points, hoping to secure transport out of South Africa as neighbouring governments accelerated evacuation efforts for their citizens, according to AFP.
The protests have been driven by a coalition of small political organisations and self-styled vigilante groups demanding the deportation of undocumented migrants.
