Reports say South Africa has witnessed renewed anti-immigrant protests as groups in Johannesburg reportedly went from door to door searching for people they believe are undocumented foreigners.

In Alexandra township, protesters allegedly entered homes and handed some foreign nationals over to police. Among those taken away were a Malawian woman and her child, while another Zimbabwean man said he was legally living in South Africa under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.

According to BounceNews24, similar protests were reported in Soweto and Durban, with demonstrators demanding stricter border controls and the removal of undocumented migrants.

The movement’s leaders have accused foreigners of contributing to South Africa’s economic challenges, including high unemployment, but President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned against blaming immigrants for the country’s deeper problems.

Authorities have urged citizens not to take immigration enforcement into their own hands, while police have increased their presence during protests.

The unrest has also led to thousands of foreign nationals returning to neighbouring countries, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, amid growing safety concerns.