Protesters demand action on undocumented foreign nationals at Gauteng Legislature

Hundreds of protesters marched to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature over alleged crimes involving undocumented foreign nationals and unauthorised religious leaders. 

The controversial anti-migrant movement March and March yesterday gave Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi seven days to respond to its memorandum of demands, warning that if its demands are not met, they will continue with their demonstrations.

The demonstrators gathered at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown before marching to the legislature.

Participants included members of March and March, Operation Dudula, ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the MK Party. 

The groups accuse the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migration.

The march took place under heavy police and metro police presencTensions escalated in the Johannesburg CBD, where members of the March and March group, some carrying samboks, ordered foreign shop owners to close their businesses. 

Several businesses shut down as tensions rose and threats intensified.

Addressing supporters at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma said they want all illegal foreigners returned to their countries.

“We want all the stores in the city premier to be owned by South African citizens.”

“What we are demanding, as we have seen from the SIU (Special Investigating Unit), is action against those who obtain documents unlawfully to remain in the country. We want every person who enters South Africa to have their documentation reviewed and for those found to be in the country illegally to be deported to their country of origin.”

Zuma also criticised the police, saying there are corrupt officers working with illegal foreigners.

“We want police officers who have integrity. If your seniors are working with illegal foreigners that has got nothing to do with you. Down with corrupt police officers down! Down with corrupt police officers! If your seniors are corrupt they must also be arrested.”

She also accused the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migration. 

The group is calling for tighter immigration controls, stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals, accountability for corrupt police officers, and limits on services for undocumented migrants.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba told IOL News that the party wants all undocumented immigrants sent back to their countries.

“We want all the government to send all illegal foreigners back to their countries, we have got enough of our own problems. We have been asking for a long time and now we say enough is enough and get these people out of our country so that we can deal with our own problems.”

Mashaba claimed inaction could fuel xenophobia.

“By not having this march I can tell you it's going to incite xenophobia, right now I am dealing with a case of the disappearance of Mazwi Khubheka, a 27-year-old from Vosloorus, who was kidnapped and hijacked by foreigners nationwide.”

He added, “Now you expect us to sit back and say we’re going to incite xenophobia? In fact by not doing anything we are going to allow ourselves to be taken over by criminal syndicates. If our government had dealt with this 20 years ago we would not be dealing with this situation.”

Khubheka went missing on April 2 while on his way to deposit rent money and purchase stock in Marimba Gardens.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi received the protesters’ memorandum but declined to address the crowd at length, saying the government would respond within seven days.

However, he was booed as he left the gathering shortly after speaking.

Similar protests have also been seen in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as the movement gains momentum.

In a statement after the march, the government said it noted ongoing public discourse on immigration and reaffirmed its commitment to sovereignty, security and the rule of law.

Government spokesperson William Baloyi said efforts are being strengthened to address illegal immigration, including tighter border controls and reforms to the immigration system.

“(The) government is strengthening measures to address illegal immigration, including tightening border controls to combat unlawful entry, illicit trade, and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law.”

“These efforts form part of a broader programme to modernise and reform South Africa’s immigration and border management system into one that is secure, efficient, and responsive to the needs of a modern economy.”

He said reforms include the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and upgrades at major ports of entry, including Lebombo, Beitbridge, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg.

Baloyi said deportations have increased by 46% and that since April 2023 the Border Management Authority has deported 500,000 people.

He added that 10,000 additional labour inspectors will be hired to strengthen enforcement of labour laws.

Baloyi said the government will continue working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that immigration is managed in a manner that protects national interests and the safety of citizens, while promoting economic growth and maintaining social cohesion.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking during his Freedom Day address over the weekend, called for restraint and warned against xenophobia, saying South Africa’s freedom struggle was supported by African countries.

“We did not walk alone into freedom. We were carried by a tide of solidarity from the nations of Africa, among many others.”

“These countries opened their borders to our liberation fighters. They shared their bread and their homes. They spoke for us when we could not speak for ourselves. The leaders and people of Africa kept our struggle alive.”

“It cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible.”

IOL Politics