The South African anti-illegal immigration movement March-and-March has given the Mpumalanga provincial government seven days to respond to its concerns regarding undocumented foreign nationals in the province.
The group led a march in Emalahleni on Wednesday, joined by various civic organisations from surrounding areas. Scores of residents from Emalahleni and nearby towns took to the streets and later submitted a memorandum addressed to Premier Mandla Ndlovu at the local municipal offices.
Although the demonstration remained largely peaceful, several businesses in the town closed for the day, and road closures lasted for more than five hours as authorities managed the procession.
Protesters raised concerns over the presence of undocumented foreign nationals, linking the issue to crime, drug abuse, unemployment and low wages.
Some participants voiced strong views during the march, claiming that undocumented migrants were contributing to social and economic challenges in their communities.
March-and-March member Njabulo Mbele outlined the key demands contained in the memorandum submitted to the provincial government.
He said the group believes undocumented foreign nationals are “hijacking buildings” and contributing to rising drug-related activity and prostitution, while also affecting job opportunities and wages for local workers.
“We are raising those concerns because we want the government to take accountability. People are running businesses that used to be run by our grandfathers and grandmothers,” Mbele said.
He added that the movement is calling for all undocumented individuals to be properly documented and processed through official channels.
“We want all government stakeholders to make sure that they resolve this issue. People must go back to where they come from and apply. That’s all that we want. All people must have documents because these people, you cannot trace them without documents,” he said.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said the day passed without any major criminal incidents linked to the march, although three arrests were made for unrelated offences.
“There were no major criminal elements reported in relation to the marches, except for the arrest of three persons,” Mdhluli said.
The March-and-March movement has warned that it will intensify its demonstrations should the provincial government fail to respond within the seven-day deadline.