Police were called to disperse a group of anti-illegal immigration protesters who gathered outside several businesses in Germiston on Wednesday, demanding to verify whether companies were employing undocumented migrants.
Authorities said the demonstrators did not have permission to assemble at the location.
The protesters, however, maintained that they were acting out of frustration after repeated attempts to raise their concerns with local authorities allegedly failed to produce results.
Residents claimed they had previously submitted memorandums to the local police station, alleging that local businesses were employing undocumented migrants while many South Africans remained unemployed.
One resident told eNCA that Wednesday's gathering was a follow-up to a meeting held with several business owners three weeks ago.
"We are not here to fight with undocumented migrants. We just all need to work. Why are the police threatening to shoot us when we just want jobs?" the resident said.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said the memorandum presented during Wednesday's protest was the same one submitted during demonstrations held on 30 June.
He said while the City acknowledged public concerns about illegal immigration, protesters could not take enforcement into their own hands.
"What is happening here cannot be allowed because they are harassing different firms," Mbengashe said.
"We do agree that illegal immigration is wrong and people must have their papers, but there is an authority that handles this. It is the Department of Home Affairs. They should come and verify if people are here illegally or not. Protesters cannot take the law into their own hands. We cannot allow lawlessness."
Mbengashe added that the City was conducting its own verification process to ensure businesses were complying with relevant laws and regulations.
He also warned that disruptions to businesses could have wider economic consequences.
"What we can't have is a situation where production and manufacturing are disturbed. The economy is trying to pick up again, so we cannot have such disturbances," he said.
Police monitored the situation and dispersed the crowd without any immediate reports of serious injuries or damage.