Some shop owners in the Johannesburg CBD say they will not open on Tuesday as protests calling for undocumented foreigners to leave the country are expected, with fears of possible looting and unrest.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
Some street vendors in the Johannesburg CBD say they will not operate on Tuesday during the June 30 protests over calls for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, as they fear possible looting and unrest.
Protests led by March and March, together with more than 20 civil society organisations, are expected nationwide, with organisers calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
The group has called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by June 30.
Last week, the organisations pledged that their demonstrations would remain peaceful and would not lead to violence, looting or loss of life.
The demonstrations come amid growing concerns over the safety and well-being of foreign nationals as anti-illegal immigration protests continue to escalate.
Many migrants travelled to South Africa seeking better opportunities.
Instead, many say they are living in fear as hostility towards foreign nationals intensifies.
Protesters argue that undocumented migrants are taking jobs from South Africans, placing pressure on healthcare services and schools, and failing to contribute to the economy through taxes.
Despite repeated government appeals for calm, demonstrations have continued.
When IOL News arrived at the Bree Taxi Rank in Johannesburg on Monday ahead of the looming protest, taxis were operating normally, picking up passengers and transporting others to different locations.
However, some business owners closed early as a safety measure, as they are unsure how the situation will unfold.
Security has been increased in some areas, while police are monitoring the situation.
Taxis operating as normal at Bree Taxi Rank in the Johannesburg CBD ahead of the planned June 30 protests.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
IOL News previously reported that Acting National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane has appealed to the taxi industry to ensure that every taxi association, taxi owner, operator and driver across the country keeps business as usual on June 30.
Last week, Acting Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia announced that R600 million, originally allocated to police stations and community policing, would be redirected to security operations ahead of the planned protests.
Police have since confirmed they are prepared to maintain law and order, although the decision has been criticised by anti-migrant groups because of the cost.
Speaking at the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration media briefing on Friday, IMC chairperson and Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi declared June 30 a normal day for the country.
Meanwhile, ahead of the protest, some small business owners in the Johannesburg CBD have said they will not open their doors on Tuesday, as they fear possible looting and unrest.
One street vendor selling snacks and drinks near the Bree Taxi Rank said business was slow.
The vendor, who said she is from Zimbabwe, said she woke up early and arrived at her selling point at 6am and would start selling.
But since the march was announced, business has been slow.
“I normally come here around 7am, but sometimes I come at 6am, but ever since they started saying that they will be marching here, we are always scared of what the situation will be like.”
A street vendor selling snacks and drinks near the Bree Taxi Rank in Johannesburg CBD says business has slowed ahead of the June 30 protests.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
The woman, who said she is in the country illegally and does not have permits to sell, expressed fear for her safety.
“We are always scared, but we came here to feed ourselves. Even when there are threats, we have to wake up and continue selling and providing for our families. I have two children.”
“Even though the business sometimes is not doing well, I can do something with the money that I make here,” said the woman, who has been selling near the taxi rank since 2018.
The woman, who stays in Freedom Park, said she will not be selling on Tuesday as she fears looting.
“I am not going to come here tomorrow. I will just stay at home because when they come here and march they end up taking our stuff,” she said.
Clothing items such as socks and hats on display at a street vendor stall in the Johannesburg CBD ahead of the June 30 protests.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
Another street vendor, who sells clothing items such as socks and hats, and who is also from Zimbabwe, said she too would not be selling on Tuesday.
“I started selling here from 6am in the morning, but ever since this protest, business has been very slow. People are no longer coming to town anymore.”
She said on a good day she makes about R500, but now she is not making that amount.
“The business is very slow. We are not making anything because people are no longer coming to buy.”
She added that she does not have selling permits.
“Yeah, I don’t have the right documents to sell here, but we are trying to make a living. Tomorrow I am not going to sell because they might take our stuff during the protest," said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
She did not respond to a question on whether she was in the country legally or illegally.
A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department vehicle patrols the Johannesburg CBD ahead of the planned June 30 protests.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
Meanwhile, some shops remained closed ahead of the protest amid fears of possible looting and unrest.
Police and metro police officers were seen patrolling the city as part of maintaining law and order before the demonstrations.
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