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Anti-immigrant marches have gathered momentum in Johannesburg, a day before the expiration of a self-imposed deadline by activist groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Groups including March and March and Operation Dudula have declared Tuesday as the deadline for undocumented migrants to depart the country, setting the stage for what they have described as mass action. Marchers have been seen in several parts of the city and its outskirts, raising tension in communities where foreign nationals live and operate.
The groups have staged demonstrations across the country in recent weeks, with some turning violent and prompting concerns over the safety of both migrants and local communities. The latest marches come in response to heightened police visibility and appeals for calm from civil society and political leaders.
Major political parties have distanced themselves from the planned shutdown, urging South Africans to respect the rule of law and reject vigilantism. The African National Congress has called on citizens to use democratic processes and observe the rule of law in resolving grievances.
The Economic Freedom Fighters have taken a stronger stance, calling for the arrest of leaders of anti-immigrant groups.
“These crimes that have been committed by March and March and their groupings every time they protest, they beat up Africans, even those with documentation, get to be beaten up on a daily basis. So we call on a law enforcement agency to act on this crime. These people have declared that they are going to kill; they are going to do anything necessary to make sure that Africans leave.
“The people have declared a crime before they can commit a crime. We don’t know why they are not arrested even to this day. We say law enforcement agencies of South Africa ought to act and act immediately and arrest those who are declaring that on a certain day on the third year of June they shall be committing a crime,” said EFF Head of International Relations Nqobile Mhlongo.
Police have also warned that any acts of violence or intimidation will be met with lawful force. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said there would be “no tolerance for vigilantism, no tolerance for xenophobic or any type of violence, no tolerance for intimidation, and no tolerance for anyone, no matter who they are, who thinks they can decide who may or may not live in our communities.”
The Tshwane Metro Police Department has warned motorists to brace for major traffic disruptions across Pretoria on Tuesday. Marchers are expected to gather at Church Square by 10:00 am and proceed to Sunnyside Police Station. Law enforcement officers will be deployed to monitor the demonstrations.
Human rights organisations have voiced concern, cautioning that the targeting of foreign nationals could lead to xenophobic attacks and displacement. South Africa’s constitution guarantees the rights of all persons within its borders, including non-citizens, to dignity and equality.
More than 13,000 foreign nationals, including about 9,000 Malawians, 3,000 Zimbabweans, 900 Ghanaians, and 300 Nigerians, have either been voluntarily repatriated or deported in the last fortnight, according to the Border Management Authority. Malawi has relocated its reception centre for returning citizens from Blantyre to Mwanza, closer to the border.
Tensions remain high across several suburbs, with businesses owned by foreign nationals closing early in some areas. Authorities are bracing for potential disruptions as the deadline approaches, with police and other law enforcement agencies on high alert to prevent violence and maintain public order.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said security forces are on high alert to respond to any unrest and warned that the government will not tolerate any attempts to destabilise the country.
