DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Hundreds of South Africa anti-migrant protesters took to the streets of Durban on Wednesday, vowing to keep up their months-long fight to get illegal migrants to leave the country. The rallies, driven by the civic advocacy group March and March, highlight the intensifying pressure on the government to address immigration and public safety concerns.
The anti-migrant group March and March staged coordinated demonstrations against illegal immigration across several South African provinces on Wednesday. The movement had previously set September 30 as a strict deadline for undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, a move that has significantly heightened tensions nationwide.
South Africa has faced an intense anti-immigration campaign over the past several months, leading to disturbing episodes of violence against foreign citizens. Several immigrants have been killed during this period, although the official death toll remains heavily disputed between South African and foreign authorities.
The ripple effects of the unrest have been substantial. More than 200,000 people have reportedly fled the country, with several African governments actively organizing efforts to repatriate their nationals.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a prominent leader and spokesperson for the March and March movement, has been at the forefront of these rallies, directing the movement’s messaging and organizational efforts. During the latest demonstrations, organizers of Wednesday’s protest also broadened their platform, formally denouncing gender-based violence after a series of shocking femicides gripped the nation.
In a parallel response to the country’s safety crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures on Tuesday aimed at better protecting women. The presidential address outlined immediate steps to combat gender-based violence and femicide, signaling the government’s attempt to address both the security concerns raised by protesters and the broader humanitarian crisis affecting vulnerable communities.
As the March and March movement pledges no backing down, the coming weeks will likely test the government’s ability to balance immigration enforcement, public order, and the protection of all residents within South Africa’s borders.
