Four arrested as anti-immigration protests turn tense in Joburg CBD, police vows to crack whip

The police have arrested at least four people following a tense protest in the Johannesburg CBD.

Four people have been arrested following anti- immigration protests in Johannesburg’s CBD , with Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni warning that anyone inciting violence, looting or damaging property will face arrest.

Mthombeni confirmed the arrests on Friday, saying the suspects were allegedly among those leading the demonstration and encouraging others to commit offences.

“We managed to crack the whip, arresting four people. As I’m speaking to you, they are behind our vans,” he told the media.

This man was beaten and bruised during the violent anti-foreigner protests in Durban on October 8, 2026.

He said the suspects had been seen leading unlawful activities, which police believed amounted to incitement to violence.

The arrests followed escalating tensions near the KwaMai-Mai precinct, where police fired rubber bullets while attempting to disperse protesters.

The demonstrators had marched from the Constitutional Court, chanting slogans against foreign nationals and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Their action unfolded amid growing public controversy over immigration and the government’s handling of asylum policy.

Although the crowd had dispersed by the time Mthombeni addressed the media, he said officers remained on high alert and were prepared to respond if further demonstrations occurred.

The provincial police chief also warned participants against using protests as cover for criminal acts, including shop looting, vehicle arson, property damage and assaults.

“When we arrest these people, you’ll face the music alone… You misbehave, you loot, you damage the properties of the city. I am saying that they are forewarned and they must not start with us,” Mthombeni said.

Police vow arrests after 24 vehicles torched in Durban and Soweto protests.

His warning came as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) withdrew its controversial asylum directive on Friday.