March and March protesters closed shops and sang struggle songs while police arrested looters during largely calm Pretoria demonstration.
Protesters chant slogans as they gather outside Sunnyside Police Station during a demonstration by the “March and March” and Operation Dudula movements marking an unofficial deadline set by citizen-led groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, in Pretoria, on June 30, 2026. South African police deployed to head off unrest and protests on June 30, 2026, the unofficial deadline set by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave that has already pushed thousands to flee. Officers were out in force to prevent violence and looting by the xenophobic groups, while hundreds of foreign nationals took refuge in several cities, urgently seeking help to leave. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)
March and March protesters swept through Pretoria in a day of largely peaceful demonstrations, closing shops and emptying streets as foreign nationals locked up their businesses and left the CBD before crowds gathered.
Beginning in Church Street, marchers clad in uMkhonto weSizwe regalia and waving South African flags moved past Tshwane House en route to Sunnyside police station, chanting struggle songs and “voetsek foreigners”.
Demonstrations mostly peaceful in Pretoria despite hostile chants
Police deployed Nyalas, a helicopter and even a circling light aircraft to monitor the procession, which culminated in the national anthem and the handover of a memorandum to MMC for community safety Hannes Coetzee.
An angry protester said the illegal foreign nationals should “voetsek and not return”.
“What does it help if they hide today, only to return tomorrow to trade and steal from us again,” he said.
Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for the acting minister of police, confirmed arrests in connection with looting and attempted looting during the March and March demonstrations.
Police arrested looters
“While policing operations have been effective thus far with demonstrations remaining largely peaceful across the country, police have responded to isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting. Several people were arrested,” said Mogotsi.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia urged citizens to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful and lawful.
“Those who choose to exploit the marches to commit criminal acts will face the full might of the law,” he warned.
“Police will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct.”
