CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — As the June 30 anti-immigrant deadline rapidly approaches, Congolese nationals in Cape Town are urgently appealing for African unity, expressing deep concerns over their safety and livelihoods amidst planned nationwide marches targeting undocumented foreign residents.
Collette Furaha, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has called the Mother City home for over two decades. Operating a business in the Cape Town Central Business District, she is legally documented and possesses all the necessary permits required to reside and trade in South Africa. However, the impending ultimatum issued by anti-foreigner groups has left her deeply unsettled regarding the future of her enterprise and her relatives.
Furaha emphasized that her worries extend far beyond her commercial interests, encompassing the lives of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She noted that despite their long-standing presence and legal compliance, the hostile climate is already affecting the next generation. According to Furaha, children who were born on South African soil are now experiencing discrimination and feeling unwelcome in their educational institutions. She passionately called for solidarity, reminding the public that Africans are one family that must remain united.
With anti-undocumented immigrant marches scheduled for the end of the month, other community leaders remain confident in the state’s security apparatus. Tolerance Zero, another Congolese resident, expressed his conviction that the South African government is fully capable of managing the events planned for June 30. He urged authorities to take decisive control of the situation and actively foster peace among the people.
Tolerance Zero highlighted that the fallout from these protests extends well beyond undocumented migrants, severely impacting South African citizens who are married to foreign nationals. He questioned the logic of displacing established families, noting that authorities cannot simply chase away a husband or a wife who has been part of the community and raised a family for many years.
He also pointed out that many local citizens oppose the xenophobic actions, warning that allowing vigilante groups to act unchecked is severely damaging the international image of the nation. Tolerance Zero stressed that the government must take charge rather than leaving the law in the hands of others, adding that foreign residents must abide by the law while promoting peace and mutual respect.
In response to the escalating tensions, Congolese support organizations are currently coordinating logistics to repatriate any of their citizens who prefer to return home rather than remain in South Africa during this volatile period.