Hundreds of protesters have left Church Square in the Pretoria CBD and are marching to the Sunnyside Police Station.
This is part of the March and March protest against undocumented immigrants happening across the country.
Motorists have been advised to use roads including Paul Kruger, Lilian Ngoyi and Francis Baard Streets.
Some protesters claim undocumented immigrants are contributing to the country’s economic challenges.
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Spokesperson Isaac Mahamba says law enforcement is on high alert and prepared for any eventuality.
Mahamba says, “What we can indicate is that the march has started to move towards Sunnyside Police Station, everything is still under control and we are expecting for this, the entire match, but we are saying to those who might take this opportunity for criminality. We are ready to deal with any eventuality.”
VIDEO | Demonstrators gather at Pretoria’s Church Square:
‘ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS WRONG’
Scores of demonstrators are gathering at Beyers Naude Square in Newtown, ahead of the planned March and March protests.
The marchers are calling for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.
They are expected to march to the Hillbrow Police Station.
A large police contingent has been deployed to monitor the march and it remains peaceful.
Protestors claim undocumented foreign nationals are responsible for most of the criminality in the City.
One of them says, “ I’m out here supporting this march to say illegal immigration we don’t support it and it’s wrong …. We know we got illegal foreigners who sell drugs to our kids and our economy basically is going down to the government of unity not taking a stand and we as the community of Johannesburg are taking a stand altogether.”
VIDEO | March organisers vow to keep the protest peaceful:
SOUTH AFRICA’S HERITAGE
Marchers who have gathered at Thokoza Park in Soweto say they are taking part in the March and March protest because they want to protect and defend South Africa’s heritage, sovereignty and constitutional integrity.
Earlier, some community members in Meadowlands went into houses where foreign nationals reside and demanded that they vacate the homes.
They say the issue of irregular migration has been ignored for far too long and it is now time for action.
One of the protestors says, “To defend our lineage, defend our country, our people, our kids, because we’ve got a crisis, a serious one in terms of illegal immigration, of which government is not even doing anything. They’ve been allowing people to come without even documenting them. The kids that are going to come in the next few years, it is gonna be a problem because they’re not from here.”
Another says, “I think this thing has been left for too long, quite a long time, now it’s time, it’s action time. South Africa knew what is happening, what did they allow it from the onset, so they’ve got to rectify their mistake, let all these people go back to their countries, even those that are legal, because now we can’t even have the honesty that these people they’re legally here because home affairs have sold our country.”
While some residents are concerned that they might suffer if foreign nationals are chased out of the country, others want them to go back to their countries.
One resident says, “If they say they must go away, most of the people will suffer. Most of our old people, grannies and grandfathers, will die of hunger because these people, they help us.”
VIDEO | Soweto residents march over illegal immigration:
PEACEFUL AND WITHIN THE LAW
Some protesters taking part in today’s nationwide marches against undocumented immigration in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, have pledged to ensure that their demonstrations remain peaceful and within the law.
Thousands of people and members of civic organisations have joined the protests. Among the participating groups is the Insizwa Nobunsizwa Development Foundation, led by activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakela’umthakathi.
Police have warned that anyone found engaging in looting, vandalism, or any other criminal activity will face the full might of the law.
One of the protesters, Thabo Mhlongo, says participants are committed to conducting a peaceful and lawful demonstration.
Mhlongo says, “As our leaders have spoken, we are following their instructions to be part of today’s peaceful march. We will also be joining our sister and leader of March and March, Jacinta, as our leader. Phakel’umthakathi said we must gather here as men. As a South African, I think today is important because we are not doing this for ourselves but also for future generations.
Ngcebo Mhlongo, who is also participating, says protesters will abide by the instructions of the organisers throughout the demonstration.
He says their intention is to conduct a peaceful protest and ensure that their concerns are heard by the government.
Mhlongo says, “We have been told not to take the law into our own hands. We will take direction from our leaders, as they always tell us to be peaceful, and not carry any weapons and remain peaceful. We all get direction from the leaders as to what happens after today going forward.”
-Reporting by Sphiwe Hobasi, Sashin Naidoo, Refilwe Mekoa and Gcino Malinga.
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