Some foreign nationals observed from their balconies as anti-illegal immigration protesters made their way through Sunnyside, Pretoria, on Tuesday
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
Foreign nationals in Sunnyside, Pretoria, watched from their balconies on Tuesday as anti-illegal immigration protesters marched through the area to the Sunnyside Police Station, demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa.
The mobilisation formed part of nationwide protests held on June 30, during which civic groups called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
The protests, led by March and March together with more than 20 civil society organisations, took place in several parts of the country, with organisers maintaining their demand that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa.
When IOL News arrived in the Pretoria CBD, a heavy police presence was visible throughout the city centre.
At Church Square, protesters had already begun gathering, singing struggle songs and holding placards bearing messages such as: "It's time to stand together".
Some demonstrators carried sjamboks and knopkieries, while law enforcement remained on high alert.
More than four Nyala armoured vehicles, police vans and motorbikes were deployed in the area.
The protesters included members of March and March, the MK Party, ActionSA and Operation Dudula.
They marched from Church Square to Sunnyside Police Station to hand a memorandum of demands.
The crowd then moved towards Sunnyside, one of Pretoria's busiest neighbourhoods, which is home to many businesses owned by foreign nationals.
A heavy police presence was deployed across Pretoria CBD on Monday as protesters from various civic organisations marched to Sunnyside Police Station to hand over a memorandum demanding stricter immigration enforcement.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
However, the usually busy area was quiet, with many shops remaining closed and others shutting their doors before the protesters arrived.
Protesters described Sunnyside as an area plagued by drugs and other illegal activities, which they alleged involved foreign nationals.
As the protesters entered the neighbourhood, chants of "Mabahambe!" ("they must go") echoed through the streets, with some pointing sjamboks at foreign nationals watching from balconies.
Some foreign nationals, including several who were shirtless, watched the march from their balconies.
Upon arriving at Sunnyside Police Station, protesters handed over a memorandum of demands to Tshwane MMC for Community Safety Hannes Coetzee and Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine.
The protesters called for stronger disciplinary action against corrupt Home Affairs officials, increased funding for border management operations, stricter enforcement of immigration laws and measures to prevent abuse of the public healthcare system.
Founder of the Kwanele Foundation, Sihle Sibisi, said they want all foreign nationals sent back to their home countries.
"We don't want any illegal foreign nationals here, including fake pastors who claim they came to preach the word of God. They must return to their own countries and preach there," Sibisi said.
"In their own countries, terrorism is taking place, yet they do not pray for their own nations. We will not stop our actions, even if people call us vigilantes."
He also questioned government spending on security for the marches.
"Our government has money. They are going to spend millions on security for these marches to ensure that nothing happens today. Why don't they use that money to send undocumented immigrants home?" Sibisi added.
Anti-illegal immigration protesters marched through Pretoria, accusing government of failing to tackle undocumented immigration and related crime.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
March and March convener in Pretoria, Simon Malebe, called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently address immigration issues.
"One of the issues we are raising is that undocumented foreigners must leave South Africa. Secondly, we are speaking about crime. There are thousands of foreign nationals in South African prisons, which shows the impact they are having on crime in the country," Malebe said.
"We are also talking about areas such as Sunnyside, where residents allege that foreign nationals are selling drugs, in some instances close to police stations. This raises serious concerns for communities."
Malebe further raised concerns over informal trading, saying South Africans should also be afforded economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, some protesters vowed to continue demonstrating should their demands not be met.
"As a member of the MK Party, I am here first and foremost as a South African man. That is why I say undocumented foreigners must leave," said MK Party member Mduduzi Mthembu from Pretoria West.
"There is no violence. This is a peaceful march. We are demonstrating peacefully as South Africans, and we will not stop marching if our demands are not met."
IOL News