Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Johannesburg to protest against illegal immigration, culminating in the delivery of a memorandum to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
The march, organised by the civic group March and March in collaboration with political party ActionSA and its supporters, began in Newtown and moved through key inner-city areas including Braamfontein, Jeppestown, and Hillbrow before reaching the Gauteng Legislature.
Protesters accused the government of failing to take decisive action against undocumented migration, arguing that the issue has placed increasing pressure on local communities and public resources.
Brief response from premier draws mixed reactions
Upon arrival at the legislature, Lesufi accepted the memorandum of demands but declined to engage with the crowd at length. In a short address, he thanked participants and indicated that the government would respond within a seven-day timeframe.
His limited remarks were met with dissatisfaction from sections of the crowd, with some protesters expressing frustration through boos as he departed.
The memorandum is expected to outline a series of demands related to immigration enforcement and policy responses, reflecting growing concerns among certain groups about the impact of undocumented migrants.
Protests spread beyond Gauteng
The Johannesburg march forms part of a broader pattern of protest activity that has recently emerged in other provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Observers note that immigration has become an increasingly prominent issue in public discourse, with various organisations mobilising support around calls for stricter enforcement.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, who attended the march, received a more positive reception from the crowd. He commended participants for maintaining order during the demonstration and reiterated his party’s stance on the need for stronger action against illegal immigration.
While the government has yet to provide a detailed response to the memorandum, the protests highlight the growing complexity of balancing enforcement, social cohesion, and economic considerations in South Africa’s immigration policy.
Source: Eyewitness accounts and public statements
