PRETORIA, GAUTENG — In the buildup to the highly anticipated June 30 immigration march, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the founder of the activist organization March and March, has outlined a strategy to direct heavily deployed police units toward alleged criminal hotspots. Speaking to the media, she firmly dismissed government narratives labeling the event as a security threat, while simultaneously condemning the state’s massive expenditure on protest management.
The mobilization is expected to see participants take to the streets across at least seven of the country’s nine provinces, with organizers finalizing logistics for the North West and Free State. According to Ngobese-Zuma, the demonstrations are a direct response to strained national resources, the displacement of local jobs by cheap labor, and escalating crime rates. She vehemently rejected the “xenophobic” label often attached to their movement, insisting their actions are strictly about reclaiming national security.
Directing Police to Alleged Criminal Hotspots
A core component of the upcoming June 30 immigration march involves leveraging the heavy police presence to conduct targeted investigations. Ngobese-Zuma explained that the group intends to use external law enforcement units, such as the Public Order Policing (POP) and the National Intervention Unit (NIOU), rather than relying on local precinct officers. She alleged that local police in certain areas are compromised and embedded within drug syndicates.
During the protests, community members will guide these outside officers to specific locations identified as hubs for drug trafficking, human trafficking, and child prostitution. Ngobese-Zuma listed several notorious areas, including Sunnyside in Pretoria, Hillbrow, Point Road in Durban, and Mayfair—where she claims South Africans are being forced out by foreign nationals. She also cited emerging complaints from localities like California in the Eastern Cape and Mbombela in Mpumalanga, stating that organized criminal syndicates operate with impunity in these undocumented communities.
The Origins of the June 30 Deadline
Addressing the intense national anxiety surrounding the specific date, Ngobese-Zuma clarified that March and March did not designate June 30 as a deadline. She attributed the announcement of the date to a fellow organizer identified as Phakel’umthakathi, who originally framed it as a final ultimatum for undocumented foreigners to self-deport.
She argued that the government and media artificially inflated the date into a perceived “D-Day” or “holocaust,” creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of fear. However, she explained that the organization is proceeding with the marches because thousands of citizens have already taken leave from work in anticipation of the event. Ngobese-Zuma warned that leaving frustrated citizens idle at home could lead to “silly ideas,” looting, and violence, making a structured, peaceful gathering the safest option.
Condemning the R600 Million Security Expenditure
A major point of contention for the activist leader is the government’s allocation of R600 million to secure the protests. Ngobese-Zuma described the massive security budget as a wasteful, reactionary measure that treats the symptom rather than the disease.
She argued that if the state is capable of mobilizing such vast private and public security resources for a single day of protests, those same funds should be permanently redirected to the Department of Home Affairs. Specifically, she demanded the money be used to construct physical gates at the nation’s borders and to drastically increase the number of immigration officers, noting that the country currently relies on a mere 800 officers to manage a massive border crisis.
Furthermore, she insisted that true law enforcement means prosecuting those who enable illegal immigration, including corrupt Home Affairs officials selling documents, landlords housing undocumented individuals, and business owners employing cheap, illegal labor.
Cultural Attire, NGO Funding, and ID Mandates
Ngobese-Zuma also pushed back against criticism regarding the traditional Zulu attire worn by protesters, which includes carrying sticks. Dismissing claims from certain religious groups and media outlets that the cultural dress is intimidating or vigilante in nature, she compared it to the standard dress code at Zulu weddings and celebrations, arguing that citizens should not be shamed for their heritage.
Additionally, she raised serious questions about the financial backing of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) that have spoken out against the marches. She called on the Department of Social Development to trace the foreign funding flowing into these entities, citing a lack of transparency and proper registration.
When asked about the safety of legal migrants and the potential for civilian ID checks, Ngobese-Zuma clarified that March and March does not support civilians stopping people to demand identification. She emphasized that all their operations are conducted strictly alongside the police, who handle the actual arrests. However, she expressed strong support for the government to implement a legal mandate requiring all individuals to carry their identification documents at all times to prove their legal status in the country.
Unwavering Resolve
Despite the heavy police presence and government warnings, the founder of March and March remains defiant. She made it clear that the organization’s demands will not be pacified by the end of the month.
“We’re not going to stop just because the 30th has come,” Ngobese-Zuma stated, warning that the marches will only intensify if the government continues to ignore the root causes of the border and immigration crisis.