Anti-immigration pressure groups handed over a memorandum of demands to the Tembisa Police Station on Tuesday afternoon, calling on authorities to tackle crime, which they claim is largely committed by undocumented foreign nationals.
The march, organised by several community groups including the Thembisa Community Forum, Gauteng Anti-Crime Unit and the Xolani Khumalo Foundation, drew thousands of demonstrators demanding stronger action against illegal immigration and crime in the area.
Protesters, some carrying sticks, knobkerries and sjamboks, marched along Andrew Mapheto Drive while singing struggle and warrior songs. The crowd grew steadily as more community members joined the procession, which was closely monitored by police.
Activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakel’umthakathi, arrived wearing his trademark attire, including a large South African flag draped across his back, armbands and an umqhele. He accused government leaders of failing to address the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“Politicians have given up. That’s why we are standing up,” he said.
Community activist and ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, said residents also want foreign-owned spaza shops shut down.
“The shops must remain closed. If we see a shop open, we will help you close it,” he said.
Khumalo further accused some foreign shop owners of criminal activities, including the abuse of local residents.
“They have illegal guns and nobody touches them, but we are not scared of them,” he said.
Prominent anti-illegal immigrants activist and ActionSA’s Zandile Dabula said she was called names when initially marched when she led Operation Dudula years ago.
“All people swore at me saying I hate people but today you can see. Look at how many are you and not working our brother are in the corners it cannot be correct that forein nationals take our opportunities while we are here,” she said.
“I hope next year when we march the numbers won’t be this big because people will be working.”
Meanwhile, Musa Mbewe, president of the civic organisation United South Africans, rejected President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assertion that calls for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa could destabilise the country.
Mbewe argued that addressing illegal immigration is a legitimate community concern and should not be viewed as a threat to national stability. His comments come amid growing public debate over immigration, service delivery and recent community protests, including tensions linked to the Tembisa shutdown.
“Because the President cannot come out and say, ‘I have failed in my responsibility to lead this country,’ he hides behind other arguments. If that was the case, we would not be here,” said Mbewe.
“He knows what we are doing. This should have been done a long time ago.”
He added: “We have taken on the task of doing what government is not doing for South Africans. We are doing what we believe government should be doing in response to the people’s concerns.”
Tembisa SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Cyril Nkuna accepted the memorandum and assured protesters that police would continue working with the community to address crime and safety concerns.
Despite strong rhetoric and heightened emotions, the protest remained peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
