The March and March Movement has intensified pressure on the national government, demanding urgent action against undocumented immigrants before the end of June or risk escalating public frustration across the country.
The movement was among organisations invited to an urgent meeting convened by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Ministers to address growing protests over immigration and undocumented foreign nationals.
Speaking after the meeting, the movement’s Gauteng convener, Sandile Dube, said communities were increasingly angered by what they believe is government inaction on illegal immigration, crime and border control failures.
Dube alleged that undocumented immigrants were contributing to criminal activity, including drug trafficking, and accused government of failing to take citizens’ concerns seriously.
“We are worried that government leaders are treating the 30 June deadline as just another protest threat that will eventually fade away,” said Dube.
“South Africans are saying they have had enough. People want decisive action against illegal foreign nationals and stronger protection of the country’s borders.”
The March and March Movement also pushed back against accusations that the campaign is driven by tribal or ethnic interests.
Addressing a media briefing in Durban, movement representative Sanele Khambule said the organisation’s support base stretches across KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
“We would not be seeing support in Limpopo, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Eastern Cape if this movement belonged to only one ethnic group,” Khambule said.
“Our mission is to unite South Africans across race and culture around one issue — securing the country’s borders and ending illegal immigration.”