March and March says its planned nationwide immigration protest on 30 June will be peaceful, with organisers urging participants not to engage in violence, intimidation or criminal activity.
Speaking ahead of the demonstration, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the march is intended to raise concerns about undocumented migration and community safety, not to target individuals through unlawful conduct.
“I know a lot of people see people walking around with Zulu men and sticks and thinking that they're going around to harm people because it looks very intimidating, and that is not the case,” Ngobese-Zuma said.
“Even in our culture, when we're celebrating, that's how we look. So, it's not a sign of violence. It is really just a show of strength and unity.”
The 30 June march follows several anti-illegal immigration demonstrations that have taken place in different parts of the country in recent months.
Separately, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli used a roundtable discussion in Mayville on Wednesday to call for stronger action from leaders on illegal immigration.
“The summit cannot become another conference where we gather, speak eloquently, and then return home unchanged. The people of KwaZulu-Natal expect more from us. They expect action. They expect implementation. They expect measurable outcomes,” Ntuli said.
“The true test of leadership is to move from dialogue to delivery.”
Authorities have not announced any changes to existing protest regulations, and organisers say they intend to conduct the march within the law.