Many shops and businesses remained closed across parts of South Africa on Tuesday as protesters mobilized for anti-immigrant demonstrations, highlighting deep tensions over immigration, jobs, and alleged crime linked to foreign nationals.

Protesters, often associated with groups such as March and March, gathered in cities including Durban, Johannesburg, Boksburg, and other areas, demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country. Some marches featured participants wrapped in South African flags and carrying sticks, chanting slogans like “Mabahambe” (“They must go”). A key flashpoint has been the self-imposed June 30 deadline set by some activist groups for foreigners without valid documentation to depart.

Business owners, particularly those running foreign-owned spaza shops, informal stalls, and small enterprises, shuttered their premises in anticipation of potential unrest. In areas like Boksburg and Kwathema, many shops stayed closed for the day, with some owners citing fears of vandalism, looting, or confrontations. Reports emerged of protesters moving between businesses to inspect worker documentation and urging the dismissal of non-South African employees.

While many demonstrations proceeded under heavy police presence and remained largely peaceful, isolated incidents of intimidation, vandalism, and demands for foreign nationals to vacate properties were noted. In previous weeks and related actions, some immigrant traders abandoned their stalls after threats, with communities turning into “ghost towns” in affected neighborhoods.

Protesters voiced frustrations over what they perceive as foreigners taking local jobs, contributing to crime, and straining public services. “People are not working, the jobs are being taken by illegal foreigners. It’s not fair,” one demonstrator told reporters in Durban.

Critics, including human rights groups and some analysts, have labeled the actions as xenophobic, noting that migrants are often scapegoated despite limited evidence for broad claims. Many affected business owners, including those legally residing in South Africa, expressed fear for their safety and livelihoods.

The South African government has distanced itself from the June 30 deadline, with authorities deploying police to maintain order. The situation continues to evolve amid broader debates on immigration policy ahead of local elections.

This latest wave of protests reflects recurring tensions in South Africa, where economic hardship and competition in the informal retail sector have fueled anti-foreigner sentiment in recent years.

A mother who was pulled from the rubble of her wrecked home in Venezuela with her 18-day-old baby has told the BBC of how her son helped keep her alive.

Dayana Patino said her son Juan David gave her “motivation to be awake and alert”.

“As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive. Every now and then I was touching his nose for proof that he was still breathing,” she said.

Footage of the rescue has been shared around the world, with Juan David becoming a symbol of hope in Venezuela, which has been devastated by the twin earthquakes that hit the country on Wednesday – killing at least 1,450 people.

Tens of thousands more are missing in what the country’s interim president has described as the “most brutal natural catastrophe” in Venezuela’s history.

A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers plummeted from the sky and crashed near the eastern French town of Tomblaine on Sunday, killing everyone on board in one of the country’s deadliest light aircraft disasters in years, authorities said.

All 11 people aboard — believed to include the pilot and 10 skydivers — died in the crash, local officials confirmed. Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of the downed aircraft, but found no survivors.

The aircraft went down in a rural area close to Tomblaine, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, shortly after takeoff on what was reportedly a routine skydiving excursion. Debris was scattered across the crash site, and a large emergency operation involving firefighters, police, and medical teams is underway.

French authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the tragedy. The National Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has been notified and is expected to lead the probe, examining factors such as mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error.

“This is a terrible tragedy that has shocked the entire community,” a local official told reporters at the scene. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives today.”

Skydiving operations are popular in the region, but light aircraft accidents remain rare. Sunday’s crash ranks among France’s worst involving small planes in the past decade.

More details are expected as the investigation progresses. This is a developing story.