June 24 (THEWILL) — Fear and uncertainty are spreading among foreign nationals living in South Africa as anti-migrant groups and allied civil society organisations insist that a June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country remains unchanged.
The deadline, championed by the March and March movement and supported by several civic groups, has intensified concerns among migrant communities, particularly Nigerians and other African nationals, amid fears that planned demonstrations could trigger harassment or violence despite assurances from organisers that the action will remain peaceful.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the leader of the movement, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said the ultimatum was not imposed by the organisation but reflected growing public demands for stricter enforcement of South Africa’s immigration laws. She rejected claims that the campaign was targeted at black African migrants, insisting that the movement’s position applies to all foreign nationals residing in the country illegally.
Ngobese-Zuma also dismissed reports suggesting that organisers intended to shut down the country on June 30, maintaining that the objective was to pressure government authorities to enforce existing laws and strengthen border controls.
“The June 30 deadline has never been about violence. It has never been about shutting down the country. It has never been about harming anybody. All we are asking is for illegal immigrants to leave our country and for the government to enforce the laws that already exist”, she said.
The June 30 deadline has become a rallying point for a coalition of organisations that have aligned themselves with the anti-illegal migration campaign. Organisers argue that public frustration over porous borders, pressure on public services and persistently high unemployment has fuelled support for the initiative both within South Africa and among South Africans living abroad.
However, the campaign has also reignited fears of xenophobic violence in a country that has witnessed repeated attacks on foreign nationals over the years.
Despite concerns raised by rights groups and migrant communities, Ngobese-Zuma reiterated that organisers remain committed to peaceful demonstrations and condemned any attempt to portray the movement as promoting violence against foreigners.
As tensions continue to rise ahead of the deadline, South African security agencies have stepped up preparations to maintain law and order.
The country’s police leadership met earlier this week to review security arrangements ahead of the demonstrations. According to local media reports, authorities acknowledged the constitutional right of South Africans to protest but warned that acts of lawlessness, vigilantism or violence would not be tolerated.
Government officials have also intensified efforts to manage migration-related issues. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi, who is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, has been involved in monitoring the departure of some foreign nationals from the country. The committee has also engaged traditional leaders, including Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, as part of broader consultations on migration management and social stability.
Meanwhile, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia held discussions with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga regarding security measures for the planned demonstrations.
While details of the meeting have not been made public, THEWILL gathered that authorities have identified Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape as provinces where anti-migrant protests have already gained traction.
The developments have heightened anxiety among many African migrants, who remain uncertain about what may happen after the June 30 deadline.
Reports circulating within migrant communities suggest that some groups have threatened to conduct house-to-house checks for immigration documents after the deadline, further deepening fears among undocumented foreigners and even those with valid residence permits.
Among those expressing concern is Nigerian businessman Wilson Oghodero, who said warnings of possible documentation checks had created panic among migrants.
Oghodero said the growing uncertainty has prompted some foreign nationals to register for voluntary departure programmes, while others continue to monitor developments closely.
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