DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — In the wake of the widespread March and March protests against undocumented migrants, movement founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has declared the June 30 demonstrations a peaceful success while announcing the launch of two major civic entities: the SA First Forum and the M&M Foundation. Addressing the media in Durban, Ngobese-Zuma outlined the organization’s roadmap for “Phase Two,” emphasizing a strategic shift toward formal litigation, community upliftment, and continued grassroots operations.
Reflecting on the events of June 30, 2026, Ngobese-Zuma stated that over 200,000 South Africans participated in more than 300 marches across the country. She categorically denied allegations of xenophobia, violence, or property destruction, attributing the peaceful nature of the protests to the citizens’ respect for the law. According to the movement, the demonstrations successfully pressured the government and resulted in over 100,000 undocumented immigrants leaving South African communities. Ngobese-Zuma highlighted several positive outcomes, including a 28% reduction in crime within the Durban Central District, decreased strain on public healthcare facilities, and the freeing up of space in local schools, such as Addington Primary School, for South African children.
A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to criticizing government responses and law enforcement directives. Ngobese-Zuma condemned a July 20, 2026, circular issued by SAPS Divisional Commissioner MJ Mamotheti, which instructed police officers to refrain from participating in civilian actions to identify or remove undocumented foreigners, directing such complaints to the Department of Home Affairs or the Border Management Authority (BMA) instead. She argued the directive is unconstitutional and effectively ties the hands of underfunded and under-resourced police officers.
Furthermore, she pushed back against comments made by Mr. Fikile Mbalula, who recently labeled the movement a “political project” and suggested it was aligned with various political parties. Ngobese-Zuma accused the police leadership of ignoring the crises in black townships, including the “spaza shop mafias” and drug syndicates. Conversely, she praised Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs for their active engagement and operational efforts on the ground.
To transition from protest to structural advocacy, the movement announced the creation of two non-profit organizations. The SA First Forum is designed to act as a legal buffer and vanguard for marginalized citizens, with its first mandate being to litigate against the aforementioned SAPS circular. The M&M Foundation will focus on combating social ills, running drug rehabilitation programs, rescuing youth from prostitution, and funding educational initiatives for black children.
Economically, the movement revealed it is finalizing partnerships within the delivery industry to reserve approximately 10,000 job opportunities exclusively for South African youth, asserting that the township economy is gradually reopening for local entrepreneurs.
The briefing took a somber tone when addressing ongoing violence linked to illegal immigration and protection fee syndicates. Ngobese-Zuma honored the memories of victims, including Douglas and Ven, and highlighted the severe stabbing of activist Pastor Mjosti’s sister Nomthandazo Mbhele, allegedly by a Congolese militant posing as a pastor.
With the SADC summit taking place in Durban, the movement issued a direct message to visiting African leaders, urging them to resolve the political and economic crises in their home countries—specifically citing the situations in Zimbabwe and the release of activist Bhekimpilo Mbedzi, as well as the Malawian President’s response to his citizens—so their people are not forced to flee to South Africa.
Finally, Ngobese-Zuma addressed internal restructuring. She explained that as the movement enters a serious “Phase Two” focused on saving lives and policy enforcement, it must distance itself from content creation, reality television, and podcast entertainment to safeguard its core mission and the communities it serves.