Hundreds of demonstrators joined an anti-undocumented immigration march in Pinetown on Wednesday, with organisers calling on government to intensify efforts to address illegal immigration.
Members of the March and March movement took to the streets west of Durban, claiming progress in dealing with undocumented immigrants has been too slow.
Movement member Ngcebo Mhlongo said the group believes authorities have not responded adequately to repeated demonstrations and demands.
“There is slow progress we have seen at YMCA, others leaving, and we have also marched a lot. We are tired of marching,” Mhlongo said.
He added that the organisation hopes undocumented foreign nationals will leave the country by a deadline the group has set for 30 June 2026.
“We can see that the government doesn’t want to hear us, but because there has been a deadline set for the 30th of June 2026, those without legal documents to be in the country must leave,” he said.
Police and private security personnel were deployed to monitor the demonstration and maintain order throughout the march.
Marshall Security spokesperson Jan Maré said the focus was on ensuring the protest remained peaceful and did not disrupt business operations.
“Everybody has a right to be heard. What we want is for this entire march to remain peaceful… with zero interruptions, no loss of life and no violence,” Maré said.
Meanwhile, anti-migrant pressure group Operation Dudula also voiced support for the demonstration.
The organisation’s KwaZulu-Natal deputy coordinator, Sikhulile Blose, said the group remains firm in its call for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.
“Our aim is that the march will be peaceful. We have a point to prove, we have a message to send to the community and to the leaders of the country, so we want them to hear us,” Blose said.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation as the march proceeded without reported incidents.