JOHANNESBURG — Organisers of the upcoming nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests have declared they will not take responsibility for any violence that may occur during the demonstrations. The March and March Movement, alongside 26 other civil society organisations, addressed the media in Midrand on Wednesday to outline their position ahead of the planned June 30 action.
The coalition has set next Tuesday as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, citing the government’s failure to enforce immigration laws. Despite the looming tension, organisers insist their mobilisation is a peaceful response to a long-standing national crisis.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March Movement, told reporters that if violence erupts, the government should be held accountable rather than the protest organisers. This statement comes as law enforcement agencies prepare for potential volatility across the country.
The coalition also used the platform to criticise the government’s security strategy. Ngobese-Zuma slammed the decision to deploy a special security operation, which reportedly carries a price tag of R600 million. She described the expenditure as excessive, suggesting the funds should be redirected toward more urgent national priorities.
The situation has sparked widespread concern regarding public safety and the potential for xenophobic unrest. While the groups claim their intentions are peaceful, the ultimatum given to foreign nationals has put the South African Police Service and private security firms on high alert.
The June 30 deadline marks a significant escalation in civil society-led immigration campaigns. With thousands of foreign nationals currently facing repatriation hurdles, specifically within the KwaZulu-Natal region, the upcoming protests threaten to strain an already fragile social landscape.
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