Anti-illegal migration movement March And March founder and leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma during their march to the Union Buildings to handover a memorandum of grievances. The movement has forged an alliance with Afrika Mayibuye led by Floyd Shivambu.
Image: OUPA MOKOENA Independent Newspapers
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have agreed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at addressing undocumented and illegal immigration in South Africa.
However, one immigration expert has urged authorities to investigate the ongoing issues surrounding the current immigration dispute.
The two leaders confirmed in a joint statement that they held a bilateral meeting in Johannesburg on Monday, June 15.
Their meeting comes amid growing political debate over immigration.
Some political analysts have argued that political parties are increasingly focusing on illegal immigration in an effort to gain support ahead of the next local government elections.
Parties associated with anti-illegal immigration campaigns include the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and ActionSA.
Similar campaigns have been held in several towns and cities, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
"The meeting deliberated on various issues confronting South African society, in particular immigration and the influx of undocumented and illegal immigrants into South Africa," the statement said.
"Both Mayibuye and March and March share a common perspective that we do not support undocumented and illegal immigration into South Africa from all corners of the world."
The organisations said undocumented and illegal immigration poses both internal and external security risks and complicates government planning and resource allocation.
They also accused some private-sector employers of exploiting undocumented migrants through employment practices.
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have agreed to work together on a campaign against undocumented and illegal immigration.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have agreed to work together on a campaign against illegal immigration.
Image: X
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have agreed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at addressing undocumented and illegal immigration in South Africa.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting held in Johannesburg on Monday, as immigration continues to dominate political and public discourse across the country.
In a joint statement, the two organisations said they had discussed a range of issues affecting South African society, with particular focus on undocumented migration and its impact on governance, security and economic planning.
"The meeting deliberated on various issues confronting South African society, in particular immigration and the influx of undocumented and illegal immigrants into South Africa," the statement read.
"Both Mayibuye and March and March share a common perspective that we do not support undocumented and illegal immigration into South Africa from all corners of the world."
The organisations argued that undocumented migration poses security challenges and complicates government planning and resource allocation. They also accused some employers of exploiting undocumented migrants through unfair labour practices.
The meeting comes amid growing political debate over immigration, with several parties increasingly placing the issue at the centre of their campaigns ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Political formations associated with anti-illegal immigration campaigns include the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and ActionSA.
Similar campaigns have been staged in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
According to the joint statement, the two organisations resolved to hold seminars, workshops and public lectures aimed at engaging communities and developing short-, medium- and long-term solutions to immigration-related challenges.
The partnership will focus on reviewing immigration laws, consulting stakeholders on policy reforms, educating the public on migration issues and supporting peaceful campaigns against undocumented and illegal immigration.
"All these will culminate in the development of policy perspectives aimed at addressing the crisis of undocumented and illegal immigration in South Africa," the statement said.
Shivambu and Ngobese-Zuma also called on political parties, civil society organisations, businesses and government to work together in finding solutions.
"We call on all sectors of society, inclusive of all political parties, civil society, private sector and government, to combine efforts in seeking solutions to the immigration crisis and avoid delegitimising forces that are fighting against undocumented and illegal immigration."
The announcement comes as government continues to condemn protests targeting foreign nationals, some of which have been linked to March and March.
Tensions around immigration have escalated in several parts of the country, with reports indicating that some foreign nationals from countries including Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria have chosen to leave South Africa amid growing uncertainty.
March and March has called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30 and has advocated for stricter visa controls, tougher asylum policies, stronger action against employers who hire undocumented workers and greater accountability for officials implicated in corruption.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently outlined a series of measures aimed at strengthening immigration management, including intensified arrests and deportations, tighter border controls, legislative reforms and enhanced cooperation with African countries to address the root causes of migration.
Immigration expert Dr Gideon Chitinga said government should take a broader approach to investigating the factors driving the current immigration dispute.
"The government needs to investigate these issues beyond the obvious challenges we are discussing so that it can determine whether illegal exploitation, violence and manipulation are contributing factors," he said.
Chitinga said the challenges should be addressed through a combination of legal, security and policy interventions, while ensuring that constitutional rights, including the right to peaceful protest, are respected.
He noted that many of the measures announced by Ramaphosa already exist within current legislation and policy frameworks.
"The issue is enforcement. If implemented effectively, they could partly resolve the challenge," he said.
However, Chitinga argued that sustainable economic growth remains the key to reducing migration-related tensions.
"The bigger issue is stimulating the economy under difficult domestic and global conditions. People are competing for livelihoods and often seek someone to blame. Illegal immigrants frequently become the target, which is not unique to South Africa," he said.
He added that stronger economic growth across Southern Africa could help reduce migration pressures by creating opportunities in neighbouring countries and limiting the need for economic migration.
Chitinga also warned that rising anti-immigration sentiment could damage South Africa's reputation and standing on the continent.
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have agreed to collaborate on efforts aimed at strengthening immigration laws and addressing undocumented migration.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES Independent Newspapers
"South Africa has historically played an influential political and economic role on the continent. These developments risk eroding the country's reputation and creating tensions with other African nations," he said.
He cautioned that perceptions of hostility towards migrants could weaken South Africa's influence in continental institutions and multilateral forums.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has warned that members of the public are not authorised to conduct identity checks or enforce immigration laws.
Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration on Sunday, Kubayi stressed that immigration enforcement remains the sole responsibility of law enforcement agencies.
"We have observed, disturbingly, that some citizens are insisting on conducting identity checks and other immigration enforcement actions. This is illegal and should not be encouraged in our country," she said.
"Only the state has the responsibility to enforce immigration laws and no one else. Citizens are, however, encouraged to report or alert law enforcement authorities whenever they suspect or witness criminal activity."
The committee met amid growing immigration-related tensions and protests in several parts of the country as government seeks to implement Ramaphosa's migration management strategy.
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