Groups opposing illegal migrants marched through the center of Cape Town on Thursday. They insisted that their action targets all foreign nationals without documents, regardless of their race or nationality, and submitted a memorandum to the Department of Home Affairs demanding increased immigration control.
Participants, including members of March and March, the Labour Action Coalition (LACO), and Operation Dudula, marched along Long Street despite the cold and rainy weather, stopping at the Department of Home Affairs and Parliament. Organizers noted that although the demonstration turnout was smaller than in previous actions, this does not reflect the actual level of support for their campaign.
The leader of March and March in Cape Town, Charlie Roux, stated that the group seeks to dispel the misconception that their campaign concerns exclusively Black Africans from countries such as Zimbabwe and Nigeria who are illegally in the country. She emphasized: 'That is not true. You will find Asians, Chinese, and others. We are coming for every illegal foreigner who is in the country illegally. Their skin color does not matter.'
The groups have repeatedly claimed that illegal foreigners contribute to rising crime rates, unemployment, and strain on public services, though these claims remain disputed. The government has consistently stated that adherence to immigration laws must occur within the legal framework and warned against xenophobic intimidation and vigilantism.
Charlie Roux reported that the march to the Department of Home Affairs was intended to prompt the department to intensify efforts to identify and deport illegal foreigners. She pointed out that they are marching along Long Street because it is one of the city's streets occupied by foreigners, and that local businesses hire illegal workers operating on the street. The group submitted a memorandum and demands a response within 14 days.
Roux added that the group also expects a response to a previously submitted memorandum to Parliament. The memorandum handed to the Department of Home Affairs demanded the suspension of issuing certain immigration documents until corruption in the system is addressed. Among the group's demands were to 'freeze foreign documentation, eradicate corruption, and prioritize the issuance of identification documents for millions of South Africans.'
Furthermore, the group demanded a comprehensive digital audit of business permits, work visas, trade licenses, and asylum documents issued in recent years. Participants also called for closer cooperation between the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Prosecuting Authority to verify the immigration status of foreign nationals arrested on criminal charges. Concluding her address to supporters near the Department of Home Affairs, Roux stated: 'South Africa belongs to its citizens first and foremost. We demand an action plan from the Department of Home Affairs on this matter within 14 working days.'
Today, the organization Labour Laws Enforcement (LLE) gathered hundreds of participants and supporters in the city of Overport for the SIYOFESA march. The goal of the action was to demand stricter application of South African labor laws, increased accountability of employers, and better protection of workers' rights.
The peaceful march started at Malls Tiles in Overport, proceeded along Brickfield Road, and concluded on Sparks Road. Organizers stated that the demonstration aims to raise public awareness about workers' rights and employers' legal obligations, as well as to stimulate compliance with labor legislation.
Before the procession began, LLE leadership interacted with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure the event would proceed peacefully, orderly, and legally. In a statement, the organization affirmed its commitment to the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, emphasizing close cooperation with law enforcement to protect participants and the public.
Speaking to the participants, National Coordinator Musa Mkhlongo reiterated the organization's determination to defend workers' rights and ensure the implementation of South African labor laws. He stressed that the march is a legitimate call for full compliance with the laws, holding employers who violate workers' rights accountable, and imposing stricter control over illegal labor practices by the authorities.
Mkhlongo stated that LLE will continue to advocate for the interests of workers until justice, adherence to norms, and dignity are ensured in every workplace in South Africa.
National representative Mtobisi Singa noted that the march is part of the organization's ongoing campaign against labor law violations and for the protection of vulnerable workers. After the procession, LLE members plan to visit local businesses to identify potential violations, including the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals and issues related to working conditions, such as minimum wage compliance.
SAPS monitored the march. In a video recording, Mkhlongo discussed with a police officer searching restaurants for illegal foreign workers. The police officer reported that a raid operation would be conducted on Friday at Romans Pizza and Frango’s Peri-Peri on Sparks Road.
Limpopo Premier Dr. Fophie Ramatuba issued a warning that South African citizens should not be persecuted during protests against illegal immigration.
Dr. Fophie Ramatuba stated that illegally present immigrants are obliged to obey South African laws. However, she emphasized that the province will not tolerate protesters who attack people based on their skin color or language.
These statements came after she faced criticism for her comments regarding illegal immigration in the province. During a march against illegal immigration on Friday, July 10, Ramatuba publicly stated that 'outsiders' are not welcome in Limpopo.
Although she did not name the march or the 'March and March' movement, Ramatuba made it clear that the province would manage its own affairs without external interference. Commenting on the controversy surrounding a viral video of her speech, Ramatuba clarified her remarks and expressed concern that some anti-immigration protesters were deliberately targeting people because of their appearance.
She noted that the principle that everyone in the country, whether in Limpopo or elsewhere, must follow South African laws is fully supported. Ramatuba reported receiving reports that people were being singled out because of their skin tone or language, especially among those originally from Limpopo. She cited examples where people speaking Venda or Tswana, and having dark skin, were persecuted due to mispronunciation of words.
Ramatuba categorically stated that such behavior will not be tolerated in Limpopo, including moving people between households based on their appearance or language. She also reminded that her government had long raised issues about illegal immigrants even before this problem gained widespread public attention. She mentioned that the national government responded by appointing an Interdepartmental Committee (IMC), and progress is being made in strengthening Border Control Management. Police are cooperating with the provincial government, raids are being conducted, and drug barons are being arrested.
The Premier reiterated that she will not allow the profiling of South African citizens based on appearance or language. She added that she welcomes everyone who has contributed to the current situation but will not permit a situation where a citizen born in Limpopo with dark skin cannot visit any province.
These comments came amid ongoing marches against illegal immigration across the country, where protesters demand the deportation of foreign nationals without documents. The 'March and March' movement pledged to intensify its nationwide Thursday protests until their demands are met. The organization calls for stricter disciplinary measures against corrupt officials in the Department of Home Affairs, increased funding for border management operations, stricter enforcement of immigration laws, and measures to prevent abuse of the public health system.
The leader of the March and March movement, Jasinta Ngobeze-Zuma, has announced the start of weekly protests against migrants across South Africa. These demonstrations are scheduled for Thursday and follow nationwide actions held on June 30th to draw attention to undocumented foreigners.
More than twenty civil groups led by the March and March movement participated in protests across all nine provinces, demanding the deportation of illegal foreign nationals from South Africa. During law enforcement operations conducted parallel to the protests, over 900 people were detained. Police reported that the majority of those detained are undocumented foreigners, as well as individuals involved in robberies and other criminal activities.
Ngobeze-Zuma confirmed on Wednesday via social media that the main weekly demonstration will take place in Mthwalume on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, further actions are expected in Gauteng, including the areas of Mamelodi, Springs, Soweto, and Sophiatown. Speaking to protesters near the SAPS Point police station in Durban after thousands marched through the city on June 30th, Ngobeze-Zuma stated that the campaign will continue every week until the government responds to the movement's demands. She emphasized: 'As long as they are not gone, we will march every Thursday.'
She also warned that if authorities continue to deploy a large number of police officers to monitor the demonstrations, it will lead to increased state expenditure. Ngobeze-Zuma suggested: 'We hope the government has a budget for another 600 million rand,' adding that the constant presence of illegal immigrants will require continuous security measures. Furthermore, Ngobeze-Zuma accused the open sale of drugs in some communities and stated that crime associated with illegal immigration remains a serious issue for the movement's supporters.
Meanwhile, the police stated their readiness to control 'every situation' following the announcement of continued weekly protests until the government removes illegal immigrants from South Africa. The Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, noted that the authorities have taken note of the movement's intention to continue protests. She assured that the South African Police Service (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies, is ready to uphold law and order.
Mosikili reported that SAPS collaborates closely with various stakeholders, including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), private security companies, and community structures within long-term operational programs. She mentioned a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) called 'Eyes and Ears,' which includes work with private security companies. She stressed that the South African Police Service retains responsibility and constitutional mandate for maintaining law and order in the country, while any other law enforcement agencies act in its support and complement where necessary.
The senior police official acknowledged the plans of the March and March movement to continue protests, noting that the movement publicly announced its intention to hold marches over the next six months. Mosikili added that the authorities will continue to monitor every situation and support every citizen who wishes to exercise their rights in accordance with Sections 16 and 17 of the Constitution during demonstrations, processions, pickets, and other related events. She also clarified that the authorities will work with private security companies, the SANDF, and the Department of the Interior.
Immigration expert Dr. Gideon Chitinga proposed that the South African government engage both documented and undocumented immigrants in a structured dialogue. In his view, this would help better understand the reasons for migration and find opportunities for joint economic contribution from immigrants and South Africans. Chitinga also highlighted the need to address broader structural problems, including eliminating external factors driving irregular migration and improving the efficiency of institutions handling immigration in South Africa.
He emphasized that the government should consider significant factors, especially relations with neighboring countries from which many undocumented immigrants arrive. Chitinga stated that external migration factors must be viewed in a broader context that considers regional issues such as diplomatic relations, regional trade, and integration. He warned that the deterioration of these relations could significantly affect trade and ultimately harm the South African economy.
Chitinga concluded that the debate on immigration is shaped by two different issues: the excessive noise surrounding immigration and the interests behind the institutions leading these debates. He called for substantive interaction at the political level between immigration institutions, government departments, and civil society, including activists, academics, and think tanks. He reiterated the call for creating dialogue platforms with both groups of immigrants, as they better understand the situation in their areas and economic sectors, and can help identify ways to collaborate with the local population.
