South Africa’s anti-immigration movement, March and March, has issued a fresh September 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
The group announced the deadline on Monday during a protest in Durban, where demonstrators marched near the venue of the 46th Southern African Development Community Summit.
The protest was held under the theme, “It’s time to fetch your people,” with the group urging African leaders attending the summit to take responsibility for citizens from their countries who are living in South Africa without valid documentation.
March and March had previously organised nationwide demonstrations on June 30, demanding stricter immigration controls and action against undocumented migrants.
Announcing what it described as the second phase of its campaign, the movement said it was preparing for a major protest on September 30.
“We are announcing the second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action and calling on the heads of state to prepare for the massive deportation of all illegal foreigners from South Africa by 30 September, which will be the mother of all protests,” the group said.
The organisation also called on South Africans to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying undocumented migrants.
“South Africans must follow the law and remain the eyes and ears of the police against any illegal foreigners in the country,” it said.
The latest protest coincided with the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which is bringing together leaders from the regional bloc’s 16 member countries in Durban.
The demonstration has renewed concerns over xenophobia and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently condemned discrimination and violence against African migrants, saying such actions undermined efforts to promote regional integration.
“We are deeply ashamed that people from other countries have suffered ill-treatment and that others have been forced to leave the country because of threats of violence,” Ramaphosa said.
He added, “We cannot preach integration at a summit like this and practise exclusion on the streets of our countries.”
The June 30 protests reportedly coincided with security operations and incidents of attacks and looting in some areas, heightening concerns about tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals.
March and March has continued to demand stronger enforcement of immigration laws and the removal of undocumented migrants.
The movement’s latest action has brought the immigration dispute directly to the doorstep of a regional summit attended by leaders whose citizens are among those affected by the campaign.
The development is expected to further intensify discussions on migration, xenophobia and regional cooperation in Southern Africa.
