Thousands of foreign nationals seek evacuation as authorities move to prevent xenophobic violence and unrest.
South African authorities deployed heavily armed police across major cities on Tuesday to prevent violence as an unofficial deadline issued by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country triggered widespread tension.
Security operatives were stationed in key locations, including Johannesburg and Durban, while thousands of migrants sought refuge or gathered at consulates awaiting evacuation to their home countries.
The protests, driven by anti-immigrant groups, have fuelled fears of renewed xenophobic attacks, with at least four foreign nationals reportedly killed in recent weeks. Several African governments have since arranged buses and flights to repatriate their citizens.
In Durban, protesters marched while chanting slogans demanding that undocumented migrants leave, blaming them for taking over small businesses and worsening unemployment.
Meanwhile, countries including Uganda, Zimbabwe and Malawi have begun evacuation plans as many migrants reported losing their jobs or being forced out of their homes amid growing hostility.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm and announced tougher measures to address illegal immigration, while provincial leaders warned that authorities would not allow a repeat of previous deadly xenophobic violence that claimed dozens of lives in 2008.