March And March Rejects Xenophobia Claims After Durban Foreign Nationals Protest

Foreign nationals who protested outside Durban Central Police Station have accused civic organisation March and March of creating fear and hostility through its recent anti-illegal immigration demonstrations.

The group gathered at the police station on Tuesday, demanding protection from authorities and claiming they had been threatened and assaulted in recent weeks.

Foreign Nationals Protest In Durban Over Safety Concerns

The protesters alleged that viral messaging linked to March and March had fuelled hostility towards foreign nationals living and working in communities across Durban.

Tensions escalated when public order police officers moved demonstrators away from the entrance of the police station after some demanded to remain camped outside the building.

Police used stun grenades and teargas to disperse the crowd during chaotic scenes in the Durban CBD.

👇👇👇👇👇👇 In Durban yesterday.
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One of the protest leaders, Eric Jean Bukito, said foreign nationals no longer felt safe.

“We are not safe in the community, we are not safe in our working place, and we have been chased away by March and March that we must go back home,” Bukito said.

He further alleged that several people linked to their group had recently been injured.

March And March Denies Threats Against Foreign Nationals

March and March has rejected the allegations levelled against its members. The organisation has recently held marches in three provinces calling for stricter action against undocumented foreign nationals.

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma dismissed claims that the group was targeting or assaulting foreign nationals.

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“I think really it speaks of a government that has failed its people and in doing so, they have enabled us to be infiltrated by all kinds of people whose intentions are definitely not good for this country,” Ngobese-Zuma said.

She maintained that South Africa needed tougher immigration enforcement measures to deal with undocumented migration.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

KZN Police removed illegal foreigners camping at Durban Police Station seeking protection after Tribalist and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma gave them until June 30 to leave SA

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March And March Calls For Stricter Immigration Enforcement

Ngobese-Zuma reiterated the organisation’s position that immigration laws should be applied more strictly.

“South Africa needs to take its immigration laws more seriously because it stands a very big chance of creating a certain level of entitlement that they themselves will not be able to manage,” she said.

The demonstrations come amid growing national debate around undocumented migration, law enforcement and community safety in several parts of South Africa.

Police remained stationed in parts of the Durban CBD following Tuesday’s protest to monitor the situation.