By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

In eThekwini’s metro township of Hammersdal sporadic incidents of looting occurred at a tuckshop but this was about the most chaotic incident incited by the protests as everything concluded relatively smoothly and peacefully.

The protests were monitored under very heavy security as the relevant authorities have reported that across the country, the demonstrations were conducted peacefully following weeks of heavy pressure which resulted in the displacement of thousands of foreign nationals.

The protests were largely organised by anti-illegal immigration group March and March alongside other organisations such as Operation Dudula and the African Liberation Movement (ALM).

 They have for months called for stronger reforms in regards to how the government has managed the growing number of illegal immigrants as they argue that undocumented foreign nationals are responsible for contributing to the rise of unemployment, crime, as well as pressure on public services and had set a deadline for all illegal immigrants to vacate the country by 30 June 2026.

The government’s stance on the protests is that they have repeatedly expressed that the June 30 deadline holds no legal weight and that only the state has the power to enforce immigration laws.

 The South African Police Service (SAPS) were assisted by the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) in various hotspots, as they deployed thousands of officers across the country in order to stabilise the repetition of violent attacks against foreign nationals.

 “Our objective remains clear, we want a South Africa where immigration laws are respected and enforced, where borders are secure, where communities are safe, where businesses compete fairly, and where human dignity and constitutional values are upheld” said the Inter-ministerial committee on Migration.

 Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has iterated that the demonstrations remained largely peaceful and no violence occurred from the protestors and thanked community leaders, religious leaders, organisers and law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace and order and that civil unrest did not descend.

Despite the largely peaceful demonstrations there were isolated incidents of looting that had occurred in parts of Gauteng, as well as in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Members of the SANDF were deployed into Hillbrow, Johannesburg as there were escalating incidents of tensions that had occurred in the area.

 Businesses of foreign nationals had also closed for the day across the country and even though there were isolated incidents of violence and looting in certain areas of Gauteng, the country at large was able to experience peaceful protesting largely due to the heavy amounts of security.

 March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has stated that protests will occur every Thursday until the government resolves the matter regarding illegal immigration. “For as long as they haven’t left, we are marching every Thursday,” said Ngobese-Zuma. “We hope the government has a budget for another R600 million.” she told supporters.

 One death has occurred as a foreign national lost their life hiding from protestors on Monday 29 June in Margaret Mncandi Avenue, Durban. On Monday night, under the belief that they were being targeted as they heard noises, a foreign national had allegedly jumped from the eighth floor and sustained serious injuries and was declared dead on the scene.

“We are here as soldiers to deposit our support to March and March because remember as Umkhonto weSizwe military wing, we were established to protect the interests of the people here in South Africa…so we are fighting side by side in defending the interests of the people of South Africa” said Regional Commander of the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans League, Commander Tan Verus.

 “We say to the government that people must go, they must go in peace so that they may leave our children at peace and leave our country at peace. The documented ones and the undocumented ones” said Bishop Dr Eldon Khima who was showing his support at the protest against illegal immigration.

 “We see the government is busy failing us instead of recognising our demands, they are not engaging so that all of us can come to this solution for our country.” said Roge, National Organiser of the African Liberation Movement.