South Africa says over 900 arrested during nationwide anti-migrant protests

South African police said more than 900 people were arrested on Tuesday, when ​there were nationwide anti-migrant protests which were mostly ​peaceful but occasionally descended into violence and looting.

JOHANNESBURG — South African police said more than 900 people were arrested on Tuesday, when ​there were nationwide anti-migrant protests which were mostly ​peaceful but occasionally descended into violence and looting.

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Tebello ⁠Mosikili, a deputy national police commissioner, told ​a press conference that of the 120 marches ​that took place on Tuesday, 108 were peaceful while 12 needed law enforcement to intervene due to unrest.

Some of those ​arrested were undocumented migrants detained for violating ​immigration rules, while others were arrested for public violence, harbouring ‌illegal immigrants and robbery.