Anti-Immigrant Protest Erupts in Pretoria Amid Rising Tensions Over Unemployment

Pretoria, South Africa – More than 300 protesters marched through central Pretoria on Tuesday, demanding stricter immigration controls and blaming undocumented foreigners for rising crime and unemployment. The demonstration, led by the group March and March, drew support from ActionSA and the anti-immigrant vigilante group Operation Dudula.

The march turned tense as participants, some armed with knobkerries and shields, moved through Sunnyside—a neighborhood with a large immigrant population. Businesses shuttered as police struggled to contain the crowd, preventing attempts to storm shops.

“Go Back to Your Countries”

Protesters shouted insults at onlookers, using the derogatory term amakwerekwere (a slur for foreign Africans) and demanding immigrants leave South Africa.

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, founder of March and March, accused undocumented migrants of fueling crime. “They are not victims,” she said. “They take buildings, deal drugs, run prostitution rings, and form cartels. This country has become a haven for criminals.”

Ngobese-Zuma denied accusations of xenophobia, insisting her group only seeks law and order. “We are being vilified across Africa, but wanting security in your own country is not xenophobic,” she argued.

Demands for Government Action

At the Union Buildings, March and March treasurer Sanele Nkambule presented a memorandum demanding:

• South African ownership of spaza shops (informal businesses), claiming foreign-run shops evade taxes.
• An audit of all immigrants and a review of study visas.
• Military deployment in immigrant-heavy areas like Sunnyside and Hillbrow.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli acknowledged the concerns, stating that ports of entry are being upgraded and immigration laws revised. “The issue of undocumented foreigners is legitimate,” she said.

Broader Context

South Africa has seen recurring anti-immigrant sentiment, often tied to economic struggles. With unemployment at 32.9%, many blame foreigners for job shortages and crime. However, critics argue such protests fuel xenophobic violence, which has flared in past years.

As tensions simmer, the government faces pressure to balance immigration enforcement with preventing further unrest.

— Reported by Nexio News