The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) has called on the government to take urgent action against anti-migrant violence and hate speech, warning that political leaders and vigilante groups are exploiting the frustrations of struggling communities instead of addressing the country’s deep social and economic problems.
The IEJ said unemployment, poverty and poor public services were the result of years of economic and policy failures rather than migration.
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March and March founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma shared a prayer for spiritual warfare on her social media hours before planned national mass demonstrations calling for illegal foreigners to leave South Africa.
“God of Mercy, to you we pray for our country,” she posted along with a prayer that received more than 1,000 comments within an hour.
Earlier, Ngobese-Zuma, one of the main drivers behind the anti-migrant sentiment, which has prompted an intense security and police operational response ahead of anticipated violence, warned against disruptions to the marches.
“Anyone who loots or causes violence today [Monday] or tomorrow [Tuesday] please can the police arrest them and lock them up. Don’t embarrass us nje please. We are fighting a serious fight la nina nize ngokzomosha. Asidlali la this is the entire country’s future."
She also highlighted the end points of the marches — the Point area in Durban, Hillbrow in Johannesburg and Sunnyside in Pretoria, which are said to be crime hotspots for drugs.
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“The anger people feel towards these unacceptable conditions is understandable and needs to be addressed.” However, the IEJ said it “stands unequivocally against anti-migrant hate and vigilante violence”.
The organisation lamented that some migrant families who have lived and worked alongside South Africans had been “terrorised, displaced, and devastated”.
It accused groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula, together with some political parties, of encouraging attacks on foreign-owned businesses, forcing migrants from their homes and denying them access to schools, clinics and hospitals.
About 2,000 Zimbabwean nationals gathered outside the home affairs repatriation centre in Epping, Cape Town, on Monday, hoping to secure a place on buses returning them home.
The March and March Movement is demanding that all undocumented foreigners leave South Africa by June 30.
Along Grenville Avenue, hundreds of men, women and children sat or lay on the pavement after spending a cold, rainy Sunday night outdoors. Blankets hung over walls and hedges to dry in the winter sun, while some people remained wrapped in them, trying to catch some sleep. There was a strong police presence in the area.
Every few minutes, people rushed towards the gate in the hope that officials would allow them inside to continue the repatriation process.
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa and humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers have been providing food to those waiting outside, but church leaders say the growing number of people has stretched resources.
Rev Sikawu Makubalo of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa said one of the greatest concerns was the number of children sleeping outside.
He was concerned about some families who may be divided by the anti-migrant sentiments.
“How can you separate children from their mothers and families? Think about the trauma these children are experiencing,” he said. “We have been providing food together with Gift of the Givers, but the biggest need now is nappies. It is becoming difficult to cater for everyone.”
Makubalo said the group had initially camped outside the Zimbabwean Consulate in Zonnebloem, where the repatriation process was being handled.
“The offices there are too small to accommodate the number of people. The city wanted to clean the area because it is a residential neighbourhood. A message was then sent out telling people to relocate to the Epping home affairs office. Many understood this to mean the process would continue here.”
He said officials had agreed to open the Epping office on Sunday to speed up processing, prompting about 1,400 people to relocate.
“After the city cleared Zonnebloem, people came here, but there are no facilities. We were not allowed to put up tents, leaving families to sleep in the open. We are now engaging with the centre manager to see whether more assistance can be provided.”
Many of those waiting said they were determined to return to Zimbabwe before the June 30 deadline, despite the harsh conditions.
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The organisation also pointed to incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, including reports that a mayor in Estcourt confiscated the keys of Ghanaian-owned shops and handed the businesses to South Africans. It also referred to the killing of a father in Pietermaritzburg and said thousands of migrants had been placed on buses under the guise of immigration verification.
The IEJ warned that calls by some vigilante groups for all foreign migrants to leave South Africa by June 30, regardless of their legal status, amounted to an attempt to exploit people’s hardship for political gain.
“This is not law enforcement; it is an orchestrated attempt to manipulate and channel the anguish of impoverished communities for political gain, and to destabilise the country,” it said. “In doing so, the provocateurs betray the struggle of the people they purport to represent.”
The Eastern Cape government has called on residents taking part in Tuesday’s protest against illegal immigration to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly, saying all demonstrations must be conducted lawfully and with due regard for the rights and safety of others.
This comes as multidisciplinary teams work around the clock to monitor the demonstration.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane called on citizens to remain calm and act in accordance with the law. He condemned any intimidation, harassment or violence directed at any individuals, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status.
“South Africa remains a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, human dignity, and the protection of all persons within its borders,” he said.
Tuesday is a normal business day and no citizen should be obstructed from conducting their work, he said.
“I call for the same responsible approach to Tuesday’s march, where demonstrators will exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution.”
Individuals or groups found engaging in acts of violence, intimidation or incitement will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law ... Communities are urged not to take the law into their own hands
As of Sunday, about 700 foreigners, mainly Malawians, have been processed by the department of home affairs in Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay. The Eastern Cape has a provincial processing centre in KuGompo City.
“All logistical arrangements have been coordinated to ensure the smooth and safe escort of foreign nationals being deported or repatriated to their country of origin,” said Mabuyane.
“Furthermore, all districts and metros in the province have identified venues to be used as displacement centres to house and manage the processing of migrants as and when required.
“Law enforcement agencies, led by the police, are on high alert across the province to prevent any unlawful activities and ensure that public order is maintained. This includes the monitoring of all points of entry, as well as freight and logistics corridors.
“Individuals or groups found engaging in acts of violence, intimidation or incitement will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.
“The provincial government reiterates that immigration matters must be addressed through lawful and orderly processes. Communities are urged not to take the law into their own hands. Any grievances should be directed through appropriate government channels.”
Last week provincial community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha and Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Vuyisile Ncata said intelligence structures had identified multiple high-risk areas where tensions could escalate during the protests targeting foreigners.
Authorities have activated Joint Operational Centres in all eight districts, with a dedicated command structure in Nelson Mandela Bay.
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The organisation said migrants often become targets despite many working in low-paid jobs under exploitative conditions because their immigration status makes it difficult to demand fair wages or legal protection.
The IEJ also warned that anti-migrant politics was becoming increasingly organised ahead of the November local government elections.
“South Africa’s anti-migrant machinery has evolved into a well-orchestrated, co-ordinated infrastructure,” it said, adding that politicians were increasingly embracing anti-migrant rhetoric to divert attention from their own failures.
Drawing comparisons with previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence, the organisation recalled that 62 people were killed during the 2008 attacks and that more than 350 people died during the July 2021 unrest, which caused more than R100bn in economic damage.
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Hundreds of people gathered outside the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto on Monday ahead of planned demonstrations on Tuesday, June 30.
The march is being led by Nkosikhona Ndabandana, popularly known as “Phakel’ Umthakathi” and amabutho, who are expected to deliver a national memorandum that will be read in all nine provinces.
Police said the situation remained calm and under control.
Gauteng deputy provincial commissioner for policing, Major General PF Kekana, said police had deployed enough officers to monitor the gathering.
“We have public order policing units on the ground, local station commanders are here, and members are managing the situation. For now, everything is fine. There is nothing we need to worry about,” said Kekana.
He urged protesters to remain peaceful and respect the rights of others.
“We expect them to behave, adhere to the law and respect the rights of people who do not want to march. At the same time, those who are marching also have the right to do so. For now, everything is under control.”
Kekana said police are monitoring areas identified as possible flashpoints based on previous incidents.
“There are no hotspots at the moment. We know the areas that could become flashpoints based on previous information and incidents.”
Speaking on behalf of Inkosi Biyela, Obuka Nduna Zethembe Kwanyana said government should listen to traditional leaders because they represent the people.
“The government must respect the kings of the land. It must not assume what the people’s problems are but allow us to speak for and govern in the interests of our people,” he said.
Kwanyana also criticised government’s spending, saying the reported R600m should instead have been used to create jobs and help students with tuition fees.
“He should have given the R600m to South African citizens to create more job opportunities and assist with tuition fees. He is wasting money on something that won’t benefit us,” he said.
Kwanyana said organisers expected Tuesday’s demonstration to remain peaceful.
“There won’t be any violence tomorrow. It will be a peaceful demonstration where we will tell our brothers and sisters to leave,” he said.
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“The people who bore the brunt of these previous cycles of violence were working-class and deprived communities,” it said.
The IEJ said South Africa should remember the support it received from African countries during the struggle against apartheid and warned that continued attacks on migrants risked damaging relations across the continent.
“South Africa’s liberation from apartheid was achieved through African solidarity,” it said, adding that regional co-operation and well-managed migration remained essential for economic growth and development.
