MK Party backs June 30 marches but urges peaceful, disciplined protest

The MK Party has voiced support for South Africans’ constitutional right to protest on 30 June, while stressing that demonstrations must remain peaceful and disciplined and rejecting violence, xenophobia and attempts to link former president Jacob Zuma to unrest.

Party stance and call for calm

In a statement ahead of the mass demonstrations scheduled for 30 June, MK party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the party endorses the right to peaceful protest but will not tolerate criminal conduct or hate-driven actions.

“Violence, intimidation, looting, destruction of property or any form of criminal conduct has no place in democratic protest and is unequivocally rejected by the MK party.”

On accusations linking Zuma to unrest

The MK party condemned remarks by African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula that sought to link Jacob Zuma to the planned demonstrations. The party described those comments as “reckless and inflammatory.”

Mahlangu warned against statements that, in the party’s view, prejudge peaceful protest and stoke public fear.

“Such statements seek to create unnecessary fear, prejudice public opinion and delegitimise the constitutional right of South Africans to protest peacefully before they have even exercised that right.”

Position on migration, tribalism and accountability

The MK party reiterated its rejection of tribalism and xenophobia, saying efforts to divide South Africans along tribal or ethnic lines pursue a dangerous political agenda.

Mahlangu also called for transparency over spending meant to strengthen border security ahead of the protests, demanding public accounting for an amount referenced in the party’s statement.

“South Africans deserve transparency, accountability, and value for money, not political diversion. We demand a full public accounting of every rand spent.”

Context and what organisers have said

The demonstrations are tied to a movement called March and March, which set a deadline of 30 June for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country. Organisers have denied being backed by the MK party.

The Citizen reported that mass protests are expected to start across the country on Tuesday, 30 June, and that the MK party said it would be part of the protest against undocumented migrants while urging peaceful conduct.

What the MK party wants from authorities

The party said it stands with citizens exercising their rights peacefully and insisted the government enforce immigration laws fairly while accounting for public funds allocated to border security measures.