Xenophobia: South Africa anti-immigration group issues fresh Sept 30 deadline

An anti-immigration group in South Africa, March and March, has issued a fresh ultimatum, setting September 30 as the deadline for undocumented foreigners to depart the country. The group staged a protest outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban, calling on African leaders to take back their citizens residing in South Africa without legal documentation.

Under the banner "It's time to fetch your people," the demonstrators marched through central Durban. March and March had previously organized nationwide protests on June 30, demanding stricter measures against undocumented immigrants. They vowed to continue their campaign until the government addressed their immigration concerns. Announcing the latest action, the group stated, "We are announcing the second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action and calling on the heads of state to prepare for the massive deportation of all illegal foreigners from South Africa by 30 September, which will be the mother of all protests."

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We are announcing the second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action and calling on the heads of state to prepare for the massive deportation of all illegal foreigners from South Africa by 30 September, which will be the mother of all protests.

The protest occurred amidst a renewed discussion about South Africa's approach to foreign nationals. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently condemned discrimination and violence against people from other African countries. "We are deeply ashamed that people from other countries have suffered ill-treatment and that others have been forced to leave the country because of threats of violence," Ramaphosa stated. He added, "We cannot preach integration at a summit like this and practise exclusion on the streets of our countries."

The June 30 protests were reportedly accompanied by security operations and incidents of attacks and looting in some areas, according to police reports. March and March continues to pressure the South African government for more stringent action on undocumented immigration, while several African nations have evacuated their citizens due to rising tensions. The group's latest demonstration places the immigration dispute directly before leaders of countries whose citizens are among those affected by the situation.

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We are deeply ashamed that people from other countries have suffered ill-treatment and that others have been forced to leave the country because of threats of violence. We cannot preach integration at a summit like this and practise exclusion on the streets of our countries.