Two Injured, Three Arrested as Anti-Illegal Immigration March Brings Johannesburg CBD to a Standstill

An estimated 10,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Johannesburg on Tuesday as an anti-illegal immigration march brought large parts of the CBD to a standstill.
The demonstration drew residents, activists and members of various civic organisations, with some participants travelling from hostels across Gauteng. Members of the MK Party also joined the protest.
Marchers set off from several locations, including Jeppestown, Beyers Naudé Square and Kwa Mai Mai, before converging at the Kwa Mai Mai traditional market, where protest leaders addressed supporters after hours of marching through the city.
Leading the demonstration, anti-illegal immigration activist Ngizwe Mchunu urged supporters not to abandon their campaign, saying they should continue protesting until undocumented foreign nationals had left the country.
Speaking outside the Kwa Mai Mai traditional market, Mchunu expressed confidence that the government would eventually respond to the movement’s demands.
“We must not mix this with politics. Everything will fall into place. The government will eventually listen to us, whether it wants to or not,” he said.
He also appealed to demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid acts of violence or vandalism.
“We will be denied the right to complain or demonstrate if we vandalise property and fight,” Mchunu told supporters.
Although the march was largely peaceful, violence erupted in Hillbrow when some residents clashed with demonstrators.
March and March spokesperson Likhona Menzeleleli defended the protest, saying communities have the right to demonstrate when they believe their concerns are not being addressed.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that three suspects were arrested after two people, including a 17-year-old, were shot and injured during the unrest in Hillbrow.
According to Muridili, the three suspects allegedly opened fire on protesters as they passed through the area, injuring the two victims.
“The protesters reportedly retaliated by torching the suspects’ vehicle,” she said.
Police arrested the three suspects and seized two licensed firearms believed to have been used in the shooting. The firearms will undergo further investigation.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of attempted murder.
Despite the isolated violence, the demonstration concluded under a heavy police presence after protesters handed over their memorandum of demands. Organisers have warned that they will continue mobilising until the government takes action on illegal immigration.
Later in the evening, soldiers also arrived as tensions remained high on the streets.