It’s tense out there. South Africa’s streets are swarming with police today as the deadline set by anti-migrant campaigners hits — and thousands of undocumented migrants are already packing their bags.

So, South Africa’s braced itself. Police have been deployed everywhere ahead of planned anti-immigration protests, amid real fears things could spiral. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s basically told everyone: by all means protest, but “no intimidation, threats or ultimatums”.

Here’s why it’s kicking off. Campaigners gave an unofficial deadline for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country — and that deadline is now. The fallout? Thousands have already left to dodge violence and harassment. Police say around 25,000 people have been repatriated so far, most of them from other African nations.

One Malawian man, who claimed to be anonymous, said he’s “happy to be going back” but absolutely “heartbroken” about leaving his four young kids behind. That one stings.

Johannesburg is eerily quiet today. Shops near the planned protest routes are all shuttered, and you can’t miss the police presence on the main roads. Over in Soweto, five people were nicked for allegedly looting a foreign-owned shop. Another five were arrested in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, for breaking into a tuck shop. Durban’s city centre? Lots of businesses didn’t even open.

Ramaphosa’s been clear in his weekly newsletter: protests need to stay peaceful. But he’s also admitted immigration reform is needed. He reminded South Africans that many foreign nationals are here legally — working, studying, raising families, paying into the economy. “They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution,” he wrote. And just in case: “The right to protest… does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence.”

Official stats say there are over 3 million documented foreign nationals in South Africa. The big issue for protesters is the undocumented migrants — nobody’s got firm numbers, and that’s fuelling a lot of anger.

On the ground, views are mixed. A Soweto resident told reporters that protesters just want foreigners “to comply” with South African laws, and she wasn’t worried about violence because police are everywhere. But a member of anti-migrant group Operation Dudula had a sharper take, saying they’d “push the police to do their job” if undocumented migrants don’t leave.

Meanwhile, the human cost is playing out in temporary camps. In Durban, white tents that housed mostly Malawians are coming down as authorities rush to clear the site. Women in colourful sarongs were seen sitting on their belongings, queuing for buses back to Malawi.

Nelson Mbewe, one of the men leaving, said he went to South Africa to find work and support his family back home. “But we’ve faced challenges — they’re saying we should go back home because we do not have the right documents,” he said.

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