France, July 1 -- Widespread demonstrations were accompanied by isolated violence and arrests, while organisers renewed calls for mass deportations and vowed to keep up pressure on the government.

Police mounted a major security operation in multiple cities - deploying soldiers overnight in Johannesburg and Durban after isolated unrest as authorities feared a repeat of the deadly unrest that swept the country in 2021.

"We want mass deportation," Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the anti-immigration March and March movement, told supporters in Durban, where the largest demonstration took place.

"For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left."

South Africa braces for violence as anti-migrant ma...