Thousands of protesters marched in Johannesburg on Wednesday as part of a two-day demonstration led by civic group March and March, calling for tougher action against illegal immigration in South Africa.
The march followed a similar protest held a day earlier in Pretoria, both organized under the leadership of Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. In Johannesburg, demonstrators delivered a memorandum outlining their demands to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, urging stricter enforcement of immigration laws and stronger border controls.
Participants cited concerns over rising crime, unemployment, and pressure on public services, which they associate with illegal foreign nationals. Some protesters alleged that illegal immigration has contributed to incidents of robbery, trafficking, and intimidation in local communities, while also affecting small business activity in certain areas.
Businesses in parts of Johannesburg closed during the march amid fears of looting and opportunistic crime. The protest drew support from various groups, including Operation Dudula, as well as political parties such as ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance.
ActionSA member Themba Mabunda emphasized that the demonstration was focused on legal compliance rather than hostility toward foreigners. “We are not xenophobic, we just want the right thing to be done in South Africa, to put the South African first. We do want to live with foreigners in our country, but those foreigners must be legally in the country,” he stated.
Lesufi has acknowledged growing public frustration and called on citizens to engage in processes aimed at strengthening immigration legislation. He clarified that primary authority over immigration enforcement lies with the national government and cautioned that misunderstandings over responsibilities could escalate tensions, describing the issue as a “ticking time bomb.”
South Africa, one of Africa’s most industrialized economies, continues to attract migrants seeking economic opportunities. Estimates of illegal immigrants vary, while authorities report that more than 100,000 individuals have been deported over the past two financial years as enforcement efforts intensify.
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