Protesters gathered in Pretoria’s CBD as anti-illegal immigration demonstrations led by civic groups called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Image: Simon Majadibodu
March and March in Pretoria has vowed that its demonstrations with members carrying sjamboks and knopkies at Church Square in Pretoria would not turn violent.
The mobilisation forms part of nationwide protests on 30 June, during which civic groups are calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
Protests led by March and March, together with more than 20 civil society organisations, are expected across the country, with organisers maintaining their demand that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa.
The group has set a deadline of June 30 for undocumented foreign nationals to depart.
Last week, the organisations pledged that their demonstrations would remain peaceful and would not result in violence, looting or loss of life.
The demonstrations come amid growing concerns about the safety and well-being of foreign nationals as anti-illegal immigration protests continue to escalate.
Many migrants who travelled to South Africa in search of better opportunities say they are now 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 calls for calm, demonstrations have continued.
When IOL News arrived in Pretoria CBD, there was a heavy police presence on the streets.
At Church Square, protesters had already begun gathering and singing struggle songs.
Some were seen holding placards reading “It’s time to stand together”, while others sang and carried sjamboks and knopkieries.
More than four nyalas were deployed at the scene, alongside police vehicles and motorbikes, as law enforcement remained on standby.
The group of protesters included members of March and March, the MK Party, ActionSA and Operation Dudula.
As singing continued, more groups arrived at the scene.
Speaking to IOL News on the sidelines of the protest, the convener of March and March in Pretoria, Simon Malebe said the purpose of the march was to follow up on a previously submitted memorandum.
“We gave a memorandum previously where we were raising a number of issues,” he said.
“Number one is legal concerns, number two is the economy of the country, where foreign shop owners are running businesses and not banking, opening shops in our communities.”
He alleged that undocumented foreign nationals were contributing to crime and harming communities.
“Since they started this, how many people have died in terms of the snacks they are selling, killing kids. We are tired of these foreigners,” he said.
He added that the group was calling for only foreign nationals with scarce skills to remain in South Africa.
“If you are a foreigner and you have a scarce skill, then it is fine. But if you do not have skills, you are taking opportunities from South Africans,” he said.
He said the march was intended to follow up on the memorandum submitted to authorities.
“We want feedback on what is happening with the issues we raised,” he said.
He rejected suggestions that the protest would turn violent or lead to looting.
“No, we have applied for this march. Metro police, public order policing and all law enforcement are here to safeguard against any danger. This is a peaceful march,” he said.
He added that participants were unarmed and that the demonstration would remain peaceful.
The convener said he hoped the government would act following the protest.
He also claimed that large amounts of money had been allocated for security measures, saying authorities should instead focus on enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented foreign nationals.
He said that if demands were not met, the organisation’s leadership would assess the situation and decide on next steps.
Pretoria West resident Thomas Vanrooyen, 54, who identifies as a human rights activist, said he joined the protest to support South Africans.
“I am here today with March and March and ActionSA to support a better future for the people of South Africa,” he said.
He said he believed the country could be improved through collective action and advocacy for rights.
He added that he had long been involved in human rights work and continued to advocate for what he described as fairness and justice.
The protesters later left Church Square and marched towards Sunnyside Police Station.
IOL News
Protesters gathered in Pretoria’s CBD as anti-illegal immigration demonstrations led by civic groups called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Image: Simon Majadibodu