With an unofficial deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa just hours away, tensions are high and President Cyril Ramaphosa has a clear message: protest, but don’t intimidate.

People planning to protest against migrants should do so without "intimidation, threats or ultimatums" that’s the warning from President Cyril Ramaphosa, issued just before an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, reports cbinews.tv.

Over the past few weeks, several thousand citizens from other African countries have already packed up and left, many fearing violence. One undocumented Malawian man told the BBC he was “happy to be going back” but “heartbroken” at leaving four young children behind.

Ramaphosa has repeatedly urged demonstrators to stay peaceful as protests have ramped up in recent months. But he’s also acknowledged that immigration reforms are needed. Writing in his weekly newsletter, he reminded South Africans: “Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully. They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution.”

He added: “The right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence.”

Official figures show there are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa. Yet, ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have spent weeks in temporary camps, worried for their safety.

In Durban, one of the protest hotspots authorities are rushing to dismantle white tents that mostly housed Malawians. Women in colourful sarongs were seen sitting on their belongings, waiting to board buses back to Malawi.

Nelson Mbewe, one of the men leaving, said he went to South Africa to find work to support his family back home.

The government says more than 12,000 immigrants have been deported or repatriated since the wave of protests began earlier this year. Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have all been organising repatriations by air or bus in recent weeks, with around 3,500 foreigners volunteering to leave.

There’s some dispute over the numbers, though. South African authorities claim more than 500 Nigerians repatriated didn’t have the correct papers, something Nigeria has contested.

More anti-migrant marches have been approved for Tuesday in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities. Authorities have told organisers to keep things peaceful but say they’re ready for any potential disruption.

Xenophobia isn’t new to South Africa and has turned violent before. According to the African Centre for Migration and Society’s xenophobic violence tracker Xenowatch, two people have been killed this year. Back in 2008, more than 60 people died during riots targeting non-South Africans.

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