Due to fears that anti-immigration protests could turn violent, heavy security personnel have been deployed across South Africa as President Cyril Ramaphosa urged those planning to attend without “intimidation, threats or ultimatums”.
The planned protests mark an unofficial deadline set by campaigners for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
Many people have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 people have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.
An unidentified Malawian told the BBC he was “happy to go back” but was “heartbroken” to leave his four young children behind.
Johannesburg, where a protest is planned, is unusually quiet and all the shops around where the marchers are due to gather are closed.
Ramaphosa has repeatedly warned protesters to act peacefully and responsibly, while also acknowledging the need for immigration reforms.
“Some foreign nationals living in South Africa are here legally,” he said. reminded citizens in its weekly newspaper.
“They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy, and contribute positively to our society. They too deserve the protection of our laws and our Constitution.”
“The right to protest and freedom of expression do not allow people to threaten or intimidate others or engage in acts of vandalism or violence,” he wrote.
According to official figures, there are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa.
Ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have been awaiting processing in makeshift camps for several weeks, fearing for their safety.
In Durban, where some of the largest protests have taken place, white tents housing mostly Malawians are being removed as authorities race to clear transit camps.
Women in colorful sarongs sat on top of their luggage waiting in line to board a bus to Malawi.
A man named Nelson Mbewe said he had gone to South Africa in search of employment to support his family in Malawi.
“But we have faced challenges – they are saying we should go back home because we don't have the correct documents,” he told the BBC.
“They say we are Makwerekere” – a xenophobic slur used to refer to African immigrants from other countries – Mbewe said.
“It's their country, so what can we do? So we've accepted that we (reluctantly) have to go back home.”
Malawi's Hassan Phiri, who is still awaiting action, had a message for the protesters.
“I just want to say to South Africans that we are all one. No matter what is happening, no matter what happens, Africa must remain Africa.”
“There can be no Africa without South Africa, no Africa without Malawi, anywhere,” he told the BBC.
Anti-migrant marches have been authorized for Tuesday in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities.
Authorities have warned organizers to ensure there is no violence, but say they are prepared for any possible disruption.
Police say conventional weapons are not allowed. This could lead to tension between the protesters and the police as many of the protesters are ethnic Zulu, who always carry their shields, whips and sticks when marching.
More than 12,000 immigrants have been deported or sent back since the wave of protests began earlier this year, according to the government.
Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have been organizing repatriation by air or bus for the past few weeks – with about 3,500 foreigners willing to go voluntarily.
South African authorities claim that more than 500 Nigerians who were repatriated did not have the correct papers, which Nigeria disputes.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, and has sometimes led to violence.
According to Xenowatch, the xenophobic violence tracker of the African Center for Migration and Society (ACMS), two people have been killed this year.
In 2008, more than 60 people were killed during a wave of riots against non-South Africans.