Protesters affiliated with the March and March movement have intensified their demands for urgent government action on illegal immigration, which they describe as a growing crisis affecting employment, housing, and public healthcare across South Africa.
On Wednesday, demonstrators gathered in Johannesburg’s city centre, just one day after delivering their grievances to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
March and March leader Justin Zuma said the campaign is designed to force the government to enforce existing laws. He linked the issue to a range of social and economic pressures facing South African citizens.
“If they are criticizing us, then they must be willing to do something about the South African children that are dying because of the food that is consumed at these foreign shops,” Zuma said.
He also pointed to overcrowded hospitals, arguing that people from across the African continent are “walking in and demanding services,” leading to shortages of beds and medication. In addition, he cited a lack of school placement for South African children and the hiring of undocumented immigrants for cheap labor.
“All of this money and the economy that’s going to the hands of foreigners instead of South Africans,” Zuma added.
A memorandum of demands was handed over to the undocumented Premier, with organizers stating that officials have been given seven days to respond.
Protesters said they are placing their hopes on the movement to address what they see as government inaction on immigration enforcement.