Anti-illegal immigration group March and March says it will proceed with its planned national shutdown on June 30, calling on illegal foreigners to leave the country despite the government calling for calm following high-level talks on rising protests over undocumented migrants.
IOL reports that this follows an urgent meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday, between ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to address rising protests over illegal immigration.
The meeting focused on growing demonstrations against immigration and undocumented foreign nationals across the country.
Security cluster ministers and senior officials responsible for national security attended the discussions in Tshwane.
Ministers also met political parties, groups and associations involved in mass protests and community marches against undocumented foreign nationals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, March and March member Sanele Dube said the group was concerned by remarks made by Defence Minister Angle Motshekga about the planned shutdown.
“We are concerned by the Minister of Defence’s remarks that the 30 June date we have given for illegal foreign nationals to vacate 6he country is being treated as just another shutdown,” Dube said.
“For us, it seems the government does not take South Africans seriously.
“South Africans are saying they have had enough of illegal foreign nationals and want them removed from the country.”
Dube said the movement rejected claims that its campaign was xenophobic or ethnically driven.
“We want to make it very clear that our call is not xenophobic. It is a call centred on the national security of the country, and we want to protect South Africa and South Africans,” he said.
He added that support for the movement extended beyond KwaZulu-Natal.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamaloko Kubayi rejected claims that the government had been passive on immigration.
“We have not been lukewarm,” Kubayi said.
“Joint operations have been taking place week in and week out, and we have statistics to show for it.”
Kubayo reiterated that groups had the right to protest, but urged organizers to ensure demonstrations remained peaceful and properly coordinated with authorities.
Anti-migrant sentiment has gained political traction in recent years, with some groups claiming foreign nationals are taking jobs and placing pressure on public utilities
Previous protests linked to immigration have at times been violent.
Groups including March and March, Operation Dudula, ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the MK Party support calls for tougher immigration controls.
These groups accuse the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migrants and have called for stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented migrants, accountability for corrupt police officers and restrictions on public services for undocumented migrants.
