The Road Freight Association (RFA) has expressed concern over plans by anti-illegal immigration groups to stage weekly protests until the local government elections in November, warning that prolonged demonstrations could undermine investor confidence and economic growth.
Thousands of people participated in coordinated anti-illegal immigration protests across South Africa on Tuesday, calling for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Police maintained a strong presence throughout the demonstrations and reported that while the majority of the protests were peaceful, around 900 people were arrested during the day for various offences, including looting.
According to the government's Inter-Ministerial Committee, approximately 120 marches took place nationwide, with only 12 requiring intervention from law enforcement agencies.
In Durban, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma declared Thursdays as the movement's official protest days and called on the government to allocate more resources towards strengthening South Africa's borders.
While supporting calls for improved border management and stricter immigration enforcement, Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly cautioned that ongoing protests could have unintended economic consequences.
Kelly said South Africa must avoid creating an environment that discourages investment and threatens future economic growth.
"So, South Africa, hopefully those who can make the changes have heard your voices. From the Road Freight Association, we definitely have raised our voice in terms of this time and again, and we hope that the combined voices will now make those changes we so desperately need to happen," he said.
Meanwhile, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia commended police, provincial premiers, MECs and municipal leaders for their coordinated response to the nationwide demonstrations.
Although the protests remained largely peaceful, Cachalia warned that law enforcement agencies would remain on high alert as organisers have indicated that further demonstrations are planned in the coming months.