Organisers of South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration campaign have pledged to continue nationwide protests for the next three months, insisting they will maintain pressure on the government to act against undocumented migrants despite the passing of their self-imposed June 30 deadline.
The commitment was announced after Tuesday’s demonstrations, organised by the March and March movement and led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The protests drew supporters in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and parts of the Eastern Cape.
Addressing reporters after the demonstrations, Ngobese-Zuma said the campaign would continue with weekly protests regardless of the number of participants, stressing that the movement would not relent until authorities respond to its demands.
The June 30 mobilisation was part of a broader campaign calling for the removal of undocumented migrants from South Africa. However, the demonstrations have also been overshadowed by incidents of violence and criminality in several communities.
In Johannesburg, several shops were looted before security agencies restored order. Later on Tuesday night, one person was shot dead in Alexandra after community members allegedly targeted foreign-owned spaza shops during looting.
Violence also erupted in Hillbrow, where two people, including a 17-year-old, were injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on protesters. Demonstrators reportedly retaliated by setting the suspects’ vehicle ablaze.
Police subsequently arrested three suspects and recovered two licensed firearms linked to the incident.
Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, police arrested at least 10 people accused of looting tuck shops and homes belonging to foreign nationals. The suspects face charges including house robbery, theft, intimidation and assaulting police officers.
Authorities condemned those responsible for the violence, accusing criminals of exploiting the anti-migrant demonstrations to commit offences and undermine public order, while reiterating their commitment to maintaining law and order across affected areas.
