Download PDFTensions are reaching a boiling point in Gauteng, as the “March and March” civic movement causes destruction within communities from different places across Pretoria and Johannesburg. The movement has recently intensified its wave of anti-illegal immigration protests. Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, the leader of the “March and March,” stands firm on the removal of illegal immigrants in South Africa. This has filled people with fear for their businesses and lives. In light of foreign missions warning their citizens to stay indoors, “March and March” has become a stark reminder of the fragile state of community relations, and the desperate search for solutions in a city that feels increasingly stretched to its limit.
The tension has occasionally snapped into violence, forcing shopkeepers to shut their doors, leaving affected residents in neighbourhoods like Hillbrow and Yeoville on edge. Everyone has a different perspective on what they think should be done about the removal of illegal immigrants, and there are different opinions on why they should move back to their ‘home’ countries.
This all commenced on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, where a majority of the people seemed to be for the removal of all illegal immigrants. What happened to solidarity? Standing as a nation regardless of your nationality?
There is not much of a difference between an immigrant and citizen. The humility has all been lost because with South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, protesters argue that undocumented foreign nationals are unfairly competing for already scarce job opportunities. They are demanding that South African citizens be prioritised for employment across all sectors.
“I don’t think this movement will make any difference; this is the only way we make a living by opening businesses and grabbing opportunities at hand. We strive to provide for our families back home and at this point we are being robbed off our bread,” said Bop, a Malawian man who owns a business in Pritchard Street. James from Zambia mentioned that recent events have caused him fear for his family, and that his children are now afraid of going to school.
“March and March” presented two memorandums of demands to government officials this week. The memorandum focuses on four deeply personal pillars; Fair Chance at Work, Reclaiming Communities, Protection at The Border and Government Accountability. These pillars are mainly the priorities that citizens are fighting for. Nokuthaba Mthembu mentioned that she believes that immigrants and citizens want equal opportunities but ‘they’ are quicker to jump into opportunities. Her concern with this was unsettling. Will it ever stop or will it continue till they get what they want?
This article is an opinion piece submitted on 20 May 2026. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect those of Karibu! Online or Khanya College. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
