'People to go back to their countries' - Hundreds rally in Soweto 1 day before anti-migrant deadline

Hundreds of South Africans marched through Soweto on Monday, demanding tougher action against undocumented migrants a day before a self-declared June 30 deadline for the government to address illegal immigration. Footage shows demonstrators carrying sticks, waving South African flags and chanting, while a security helicopter circled overhead. "We are saying people need to go back to their countries because we have got an influx of illegal immigrants in our country," stated Tshepo Mphosulah, a protester. Another activist, Tiahau, said he hoped the government would act after June 30 to avoid further demonstrations. "This is just a show of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. So the government should come on board and do things legally, so that we don't have to keep on doing this as a people and being called names like xenophobia or Afrophobia," he explained. Tiahau noted that high local unemployment was fuelling tensions, adding, "We do love our brothers. It's just that at the current moment, we have to really look out for South Africans more than those who are coming from outside." President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned xenophobic violence against foreign nationals, saying crime should be addressed through law enforcement rather than vigilantism. The United Nations has also voiced concern over rising violence and intimidation targeting migrants.