Nigeria says two nationals killed in South Africa amid rise of anti-migrant attacks

Trump fixated on White South Africans, but Black migrants face violence, protests The Washington Post ‘Leave or return in a coffin’: The threat driving migrants out of South Africa CNN Thousands of police deployed across South Africa as deadly anti-immigration protests spread to multiple cities Fox News South African anti-migrant protests: Thousands march amid heavy security deployment BBC South Africa's anti-migrant protesters march nationwide, after thousands flee violence Reuters

Heavy security personnel has been deployed across South Africa because of fears that anti-immigration protests could turn violent as President Cyril Ramaphosa urged those planning to take part to do so without "intimidation, threats or ultimatums". The planned protests mark an unofficial deadline set by campaigners for all undocumented foreigner to leave the country. Many have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was "happy to be going back" but "heartbroken" to be leaving behind four young children.Johannesburg, where one of the protests is planned, is unusually quiet.All the shops in the vicinity of where marchers are due to gather are closed, while police visibility is high on the city's major streets.Police said that five people were arrested in Johannesburg's biggest township, Soweto, for allegedly looting a foreign-owned shop. Five people were also arrested for allegedly breaking into a tuck shop in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal province. Many businesses in central Durban, the main city in the province, are shut. Ramaphosa has repeatedly warned demonstrators to act peacefully and responsibly, while also accepting the need for immigration reforms."Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully," he reminded citizens in his weekly newsletter, external."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."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," he wrote.There are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa, according to official figures.Ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have been awaiting processing in temporary camps for several weeks out of fear for their safety.In Durban, which has seen some of the biggest protests, white tents housing mostly Malawians are being dismantled as authorities race to clear the transit camp.Women in colourful sarongs sat on top of their belongings, waiting in line to board a bus home to Malawi. One man, Nelson Mbewe, said he had gone to South Africa in search of employment to support his family in Malawi."But we've faced challenges - they're saying we should go back home because we do not have the right documents," he told the BBC. "They say we are Makwerekwere" - a xenophobic slur used to refer to African migrants from other countries - Mbewe said."It's their country, so what can we do? That's why we have accepted that we just have to [unwillingly] go back home."Hassan Phiri, a Malawian who is still waiting to be processed, had a message for the protesters."All I want to say to South Africans is that we are all one. No matter what is happening, no matter what will happen, Africa must remain Africa."Africa can't be Africa without South Africa... without Malawi, without anywhere," he told the BBC, adding: "So whatever will happen, we must love each other and stick together as Africa."Anti-migrant marches have been authorised for Tuesday in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities.The authorities have warned organisers to ensure there is no violence but say they are prepared for any potential disruption.The police say traditional weapons are not allowed. This could lead to tension between protesters and the police because many of the protesters are ethnic Zulus, who always take their shields, whips and sticks when they go on marches.According to the government, more than 12,000 immigrants have been deported or repatriated since a wave of protests began earlier this year.Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have been organising repatriations by air or bus over the last few weeks - with about 3,500 foreigners volunteering to leave.South African authorities c

Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, a central figure in a major ongoing police graft inquiry in South Africa, has pleaded guilty to corruption, fraud and money-laundering charges as part of a deal with state prosecutors.He was accused of bribing top police officials to win a 360m rand ($22m; £16.5m) tender for his health company Medicare24 in 2024.The plea deal, which has not yet been accepted by the magistrate, would result in Matlala giving evidence against "high-ranking officials", state advocate Santhos Manilall said.Police chief Gen Fannie Masemola is one of those facing charges in relation to this case. He has denied the charges.Manilall told the court in the capital, Pretoria, that it had taken almost two months of negotiations to put the deal together.If accepted, it would result in Matlala, 49, serving eight years in prison.The state's lawyer said that the "sacrifice" of a more lenient sentence would be worth it, as "for the first time we have an accused who has... given us detail that we would not have been made aware of".As part of the deal, Matlala is required to give honest and frank testimony at future trials. The magistrate at the Pretoria court is expected to give his ruling on the plea deal next week. Matlala, who is also facing a separate murder charge that he denies, has been named by a witness at the corruption inquiry known as the Madlanga Commission as being part of a drug-trafficking cartel that has managed to penetrate the police.He has not commented on this accusation but, giving evidence at a parallel parliamentary corruption inquiry last year, denied knowing senior police officers and politicians personally.Matlala has yet to appear at the Madlanga Commission.Witnesses at that inquiry, which began last September, have alleged collusion between criminal underworld figures and senior police officials.It was set up after senior police officer Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged last July that organised crime groups had infiltrated the government.