By Emmanuel Nduka
Anti-migrant protesters in South Africa have issued a fresh ultimatum demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country by September 30.
The protesters, who have been mobilising communities in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, said they would intensify their campaign if their demands were not addressed by the deadline.
Leader of the March and March movement, Sphelele Shinga, said the group was preparing for another major mobilisation on September 30, with as many as 1.5 million people expected to participate.
Shinga said the movement was driven by concerns over immigration, employment, crime and access to public services, insisting that communities had a right to raise concerns about issues affecting them.
The renewed ultimatum follows weeks of demonstrations in parts of the country, with protesters demanding tougher action on undocumented migration and greater enforcement of immigration regulations.
The protests have, however, generated concerns among migrant and refugee communities, particularly those who say they have been left vulnerable amid the heightened tensions.
Princess Adjei, a Ghanaian refugee, said some refugees had been forced to remain on the streets while awaiting transportation and verification of their documentation.
“We can’t keep sleeping on the streets forever as well. People have died because of sleeping on the street,” she said.
Adjei said the affected refugees were awaiting buses as authorities continued the process of verifying their documentation.
The protests have also attracted criticism from peace activists and civil society figures who have warned against rhetoric that could fuel hostility towards foreign nationals.
Ela Gandhi, a former member of Parliament and granddaughter of India’s independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi, criticised claims linking migrants to South Africa’s social and economic challenges.
“The rhetoric that these people are using is completely untrue,” Gandhi said, arguing that migrants should not be blamed for the problems confronting the country.
The September 30 ultimatum could pave the way for another major mobilisation in Durban, placing authorities under renewed pressure to maintain public order while addressing concerns around immigration and undocumented migration.
The development is also likely to attract attention across the continent, given South Africa’s longstanding economic and social ties with other African countries and recurring tensions involving foreign nationals.
The authorities face the challenge of enforcing immigration laws while also ensuring that migrants and refugees are protected from intimidation, violence and discrimination.
