29.04.2026
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March and March gives Lesufi seven days to respond to demands

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  • March and March members protest in Johannesburg, calling for action on undocumented migrants and tighter immigration controls.

Civil society group, March and March Movement, has given Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi seven days to respond to a memorandum of demands given to the Gauteng Legislature.

On Wednesday, scores of March and March Movement members, including some political formations, marched to the Gauteng Legislature to deliver their memorandum of grievance. The protesters say they are demonstrating against the influx of undocumented foreign nationals in the country.

The group is calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, tighter border control, and decisive action against crime networks they claim are linked to undocumented foreign nationals.

The group has also marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where they handed over a memorandum of demands.

Johannesburg City centre came to a standstill as hundreds of marchers chanted and ululated while marching to the Gauteng Legislature to vent to the government about their pressing issues including the influx of illegal immigrants.

March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, says the aim of their campaign is to ensure undocumented migrants return to their countries of origin.

“Today is a reiteration of the fact that we are tired of illegal immigrants taking over our spaces, overstretching our resources, and rendering us, in our own country, as useless. We want to make sure that we reiterate to our government and illegal immigrants that the time to play is over. We want our country back, and we are not negotiating on that,” says Ngobese-Zuma.

She says they have emphasized the importance of marching peacefully and making sure things do not get out of hand.

“There is no use for this march to get out of control because we are just marching on our streets. The only thing we want to avoid, which is regrettable, is provocation from foreign nationals. I think everyone knows from the situation in Gompo that the community ended up losing their minds after seeing that some of the marchers were stabbed. There is no one who will sit back and watch people being disrespected or someone trying to kill their own people,” she says.

One of the marchers Ngizwenkosi Mchunu says it is extremely difficult for law enforcement to police illegal foreigners as many are not documented and can’t be traced.

“Can you imagine someone who is here illegally? I can assure you now that there are more than two million illegal immigrants in South Africa. Can you imagine if those people commit crimes? They are nowhere to be found,” says Mchunu.

Deputy Government Spokesperson, William Baloyi, says they are aware of growing tensions around illegal immigration in parts of the country.

“Government notes public discourse on immigration, particularly issues related to illegal immigration, and wishes to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s sovereignty, security, and the rule of law, while upholding the country’s constitutionality, values, and respect for human dignity. Government is strengthening measures to address immigration, including tightening border controls to combat unlawful entry, illicit trading, and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law,” says Baloyi.

The protesters have given the Premier of Gauteng seven days to respond to their grievances.

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