The March and March movement has mapped out an aggressive three-month campaign aimed at ramping up its anti-illegal immigration drive through protests, political lobbying and pressure on municipalities to prioritise South Africans in township economies.
The plans were announced after the movement’s special national executive committee (NEC) meeting held on Friday, with a statement released on Sunday reviewing the outcome of the nationwide demonstrations staged on June 30.
According to the movement, more than 120 marches took place across the country, with over 98% proceeding without violence or disruption.
It praised civic organisations, political parties and the South African Police Service for helping to ensure the demonstrations remained peaceful and free from widespread looting.
The NEC also warned activists against seeking personal recognition for the campaign, saying the success of the protests belonged to everyone involved rather than any single individual or organisation.
It further stressed that women must play an equal leadership role in the campaign and should not be confined to supporting positions.
Over the next three months, the movement intends to stage additional peaceful demonstrations, pickets and blitz operations in strategic economic centres across South Africa.
A national dialogue is also being planned in Gauteng to examine the causes of irregular migration, its impact on communities and possible policy responses.
The movement said it would engage political parties, including the ATM, UDM and NFP, in an effort to build consensus around immigration policy and stricter enforcement of existing legislation.
It also intends approaching municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to advocate for bylaws that reserve township business opportunities for South African citizens.
Another priority will be engagements with the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs on operations targeting central business districts and buildings the movement alleges are unlawfully occupied by foreign nationals.
The statement specifically referred to Nigerians, saying the planned operations would form part of what it described as a “massive deportation strategy”.
In addition, the organisation plans to launch a nationwide reporting campaign encouraging members of the public to identify companies suspected of illegally employing foreign nationals.
It said all information received would be compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities for investigation.
The NEC called on supporters to remain actively involved in peaceful mass action, arguing that sustained public pressure was essential if government was to respond to the movement’s demands.
Addressing reports of a meeting between certain activists and President Cyril Ramaphosa, the movement distanced itself from the engagement, saying it had neither arranged nor participated in it.
It said it had no knowledge of what was discussed and would not speculate about the purpose of the meeting.
The movement added that anyone was free to engage the president or other political leaders without first obtaining its approval.
It concluded by urging South Africans to stand together against what it described as lawlessness, irregular migration and inequality, while pledging to continue advancing its campaign through peaceful mobilisation.
