In South Africa, cities are going into lockdown in response to rising anti-migrant protests.

Several South African cities have been placed under partial lockdown as anti-migrant protests intensify across the country. These demonstrations, while mostly peaceful, are regularly marred by episodes of violence and looting, according to authorities and witnesses on the ground.

The demonstrations have grown in size in recent days, with groups of protesters calling on undocumented migrants to leave the country by Tuesday. These ultimatums are fueling a climate of increasing tension in several urban areas, where law enforcement has been deployed in large numbers.

While most of the marches have remained generally peaceful, sporadic incidents have disrupted them. Businesses have been targeted in looting incidents, prompting some municipalities to strengthen security measures and restrict movement in the most sensitive areas.

Local authorities are trying to contain the unrest while preventing an escalation of violence. They are facing a movement whose demands are centered on illegal immigration, an issue that has become particularly volatile in a context of economic and social tensions.

At present, there is no information indicating whether the calls for migrants to leave will have any concrete effect. Authorities are urging calm and seeking to prevent the situation from deteriorating further in the coming days.