Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in several South African cities on Saturday, calling for an end to attacks, intimidation and discrimination targeting migrants and refugees.
The demonstrations were held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, with more than 60 civil society organisations and community groups participating in solidarity marches against xenophobia.
Protesters demanded stronger action against individuals and vigilante groups accused of harassing foreign nationals, looting migrant-owned businesses and pressuring immigrants to leave the country.
Migrant activist Thuli Nkadimeng, who joined the Johannesburg march, said authorities should hold those responsible for violence and intimidation against foreign nationals accountable.
Organisers also criticised deportation and repatriation campaigns targeting migrants, arguing that authorities should focus instead on protecting vulnerable communities and addressing the underlying causes of social and economic tensions.
Activist Phakamile Johnny said protesters could no longer remain silent while migrants were being attacked and their businesses targeted.
Anti-immigrant vigilante groups have staged demonstrations and other actions across South Africa since April, demanding the removal of undocumented migrants.
Some groups have also gone door-to-door demanding that African and Asian migrants produce passports or identification documents. The South African government has condemned such actions, warning that private groups have no authority to conduct immigration enforcement.
Migrants and refugees have reported increasing incidents of harassment, intimidation, extortion and forced business closures.
Anti-immigration campaigners argue that foreign nationals place additional pressure on jobs, housing, schools and health services, while also accusing some migrants of involvement in crime.
Trade union leader Mametlwe Sebei rejected those claims, saying problems including unemployment, inadequate housing, poor health services, crime and drug abuse stem largely from failures of governance rather than migration.
The tensions have already prompted thousands of migrants from countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe to return home through voluntary repatriation programmes.
South African Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said last week that around 53,000 African migrants had been returned to their countries through a combination of voluntary repatriations and deportations as authorities intensify enforcement against undocumented immigration.