The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has thrown its support behind pressure group March and March, arguing that its campaign against illegal immigration is necessary because many people enter South Africa unlawfully and go on to commit crimes.
Briefing the media in Johannesburg, the party said there was nothing unlawful about the group’s activities.
“Illegal immigrants have taken over some areas of our towns and cities and reduced them to centres of crime. There are areas that South Africans have effectively surrendered because of illegal immigrants. Our understanding is that March and March is not fighting against legal immigrants. They are fighting against people who have broken the law,” said MK Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo.
Speaking to Newsnote on the sidelines of an anti-immigration protest in Pretoria, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese said the organisation intends to endorse a political party ahead of the local government elections that it believes aligns with its objectives.
The MK Party, along with ActionSA, has regularly participated in the group’s demonstrations, fuelling speculation that both parties are seeking its endorsement.
“If you are called an illegal immigrant, it means you have broken the law because you are in this country illegally. You are not supposed to be here, and the state often finds it difficult to trace such individuals when they commit crimes. Some steal vehicles and take them across the border, making them difficult to track. Others establish drug cartels and criminal syndicates.
“If you come to South Africa with good intentions, why do you not register with Home Affairs? What are you hiding? It suggests that your arrival was not made in good faith,” said Nomvalo.
The endorsement has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that it appears to contradict the party’s stated commitment to Pan-Africanism. It is also not the first ideological controversy involving the party. Last week, the MK Party caused a stir at the Conference of the Left in Ekurhuleni when it opposed the inclusion of socialism in the conference declaration.
“So we sympathise with the struggle of March and March, unapologetically so, because we believe they stand for the right cause, which is also what the MK Party stands for. We are opposed to illegal immigration, unapologetically. Protesting in this country is constitutional, and I have never heard of March and March organising illegal protests,” said Nomvalo.
He added that even the group’s 30 June deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country falls within the scope of lawful protest and is therefore supported by the party. He said it was the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful.
“I have never heard of such incidents, and if crimes are committed during a protest, that becomes the responsibility of the police. Before a march takes place, a Section 4 meeting is convened between organisers and the police. That is where protocols are discussed, and enforcing those protocols is the responsibility of the police.
“If the police fail to maintain order during a protest, then that points to a failure on their part. We cannot blame March and March for shortcomings in policing. Had they intended to organise unlawful protests, they would not have followed the legal processes, including notifying the police and attending Section 4 meetings.
“Everything they do is within the law. That is the position of the MK Party,” he said.