Dozens march in Kwa-Thema as Ramaphosa warns against vigilante action

Dozens of protesters marched through Kwa-Thema, a township about 40 kilometres southeast of Johannesburg, on Monday calling for tougher action against illegal immigration, a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa warned authorities would act against groups stoking violence.

Peaceful march, some carrying sticks

The march in Kwa-Thema was peaceful, with participants chanting and singing as they moved through the township, and some carrying sticks, footage aired by the SABC public broadcaster showed.

Ramaphosa: authorities will not tolerate lawlessness

In a national address late Sunday, President Ramaphosa acknowledged public concerns over illegal immigration but warned that authorities would not tolerate people taking the law into their own hands.

“We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilise our country through inciting lawlessness and violence,”

He added:

“We will act against forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal or criminal agendas.”

Organisers vow to continue campaign

Organisers of the protests said they were encouraged that Ramaphosa had put the issue on the national agenda and vowed to press ahead with their campaign.

Wider tensions and recent unrest

South Africa has experienced recurring bouts of anti-migrant violence. Vigilante groups have ordered undocumented foreigners to leave by June 30, and this year protests have intensified.

The country is home to more than three million foreigners, just over 5% of the population. The report notes unemployment is running at more than 30%, a factor said to be fuelling tensions with migrant workers.

Previous waves of deadly violence include the 2008 attacks that left 62 people killed, and violent clashes in 2015, 2016 and 2019. In the latest wave of unrest, at least two Mozambican citizens have been killed.

Cross-border responses and returns

The unrest prompted several countries to organise returns for their citizens. Ghana arranged repatriation flights for hundreds of nationals, while Malawi and Mozambique organised buses to bring people home.

South Africa’s border authority said more than 600 Ghanaians were processed for departure over the weekend, taking the tally of those who have left to 995. The first group of Nigerians was reported due to leave on Wednesday.

Kenya, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise caution.

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