Hundreds of South Africans took to the streets of Johannesburg on Tuesday in a protest against illegal immigration, warning that government must urgently address their concerns or risk facing even greater public action in the future.
The march formed part of the widely publicised 30 June mobilisation against illegal immigration that has sparked weeks of debate and demonstrations in parts of South Africa.
Shops across parts of the Johannesburg CBD remained closed as protesters gathered in downtown Joburg at Kwa Mai Mai before embarking on what organisers described as a peaceful march through Hillbrow and Yeoville before returning to their starting point.
The demonstration took place under heightened security, with law enforcement agencies remaining on high alert amid concerns over possible tensions linked to the nationwide protests.
Throughout the march, protesters chanted slogans including “Abahambe” and “Sikhathele amagwerekere”, meaning “they must leave” and “we are tired of foreigners”.
Although the march remained largely peaceful, tensions briefly flared in Yeoville after protesters alleged that foreign nationals occupying nearby buildings threw stones at them.
Despite the incident, protesters continued with the march without retaliating.
Meluleki Ndlovu, one of the protesters, told Africa Daily they had not gathered to attack anyone but to send a message to government that South Africans were frustrated by what they described as the country’s failure to deal with undocumented immigrants.
“We are not here to fight. We just want President Ramaphosa to hear our pleas and to understand that as South Africans, who are the rightful citizens of this country, are tired of foreigners taking everything that belongs to us,” he said.
Ndlovu said protesters believed undocumented immigrants were taking jobs from South Africans and contributing to crime.
“Some here were throwing stones at us but we tried to remain calm. We can easily attack back but that’s not the message we are trying to send,” he said.
“Ramaphosa must do what is right and speak to the leaders of these African countries to take their people back. That is all we are asking for.”
Anti-illegal immigration activist Ngizwe Mchunu thanked supporters for what he described as a historic and successful march, while commending police for their handling of the demonstration.
“We are also grateful to the police for respecting us as we marched today. They caused no problems for us and were by our side throughout,” Mchunu said.
He reiterated his call for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
“It is time undocumented foreigners fill their buses and leave South Africa,” he said.
Mchunu also urged supporters to remain united and continue pressing government peacefully.
“We must continue to come together and be united. We must not be divided by politics. The government will listen to us by force.”
As protesters dispersed, Mchunu again appealed for calm, warning that any acts of violence would undermine the movement’s message.
“We must not hear that some people have caused problems or participated in violent acts because we will lose the right and opportunity to hold government accountable by raising our issues if we vandalise and fight,” he said.
“We have marched across all parts of South Africa and we never ruined things. Even today, we did not harm anyone.”
The march came a day after Mchunu and fellow activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, also known as Phakel’umthakathi, met with President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the nationwide demonstrations.
The Presidency confirmed that the meeting focused on the planned protests and issues relating to illegal immigration.
During the engagement, Ramaphosa told the activists that while South Africans have the constitutional right to protest, demonstrations must remain peaceful and within the confines of the law.
The president also stressed that government is addressing migration and remains the sole authority responsible for enforcing the country’s immigration laws.
After listening to the activists’ concerns, he reiterated that government would continue dealing with migration through lawful processes while urging demonstrators to protest peacefully.
