Wayne Lumbasi
South Africa is facing renewed tensions over migration after the anti-undocumented migration movement March and March called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by September 30, setting the stage for a potentially large national mobilisation.
The movement has announced September 30 as a national day of action and is calling on South Africans to participate in demonstrations demanding tougher enforcement of the country’s immigration laws. Its campaign has gained momentum amid growing public frustration over unemployment, crime, informal trading and pressure on public services.
March and March has presented undocumented migration as a major national concern and is demanding more decisive government intervention. The movement’s leadership has indicated that the September 30 mobilisation could attract a much larger turnout than previous demonstrations, with organiser Sphelele Shinga claiming that participation could reach as many as 1.5 million people.
The deadline, however, does not constitute a government directive ordering undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. It is a demand issued by the protest movement, while immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state and must be carried out through established legal procedures.
The government has already intensified immigration enforcement across the country. Authorities have carried out more than 350,000 inspections covering businesses and other workplaces, targeting violations involving undocumented migration, illegal employment, fraudulent documentation, human trafficking and related offences.
The increased enforcement has been accompanied by a significant rise in deportations and repatriations. Government figures reported in recent weeks indicate that tens of thousands of foreign nationals have been processed for removal, with citizens of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique among those most affected.
The crackdown has unfolded against a broader political debate over South Africa’s immigration system. March and March and other anti-migration groups argue that undocumented foreigners are competing for employment and economic opportunities in communities already struggling with high unemployment. They have also called for greater scrutiny of businesses accused of employing people without valid documentation.
Migrant and refugee communities, however, remain concerned about the consequences of the growing campaign. Human rights advocates have warned against collectively blaming foreign nationals for South Africa’s economic and social challenges and have stressed the importance of distinguishing between undocumented migration and migrants who are legally present in the country.
The September 30 mobilisation has also revived concerns over xenophobia. South Africa has experienced repeated episodes of violence and hostility against migrants from other African countries, making large-scale anti-migration demonstrations particularly sensitive. Authorities will therefore face the difficult task of maintaining public order while allowing lawful protest and protecting vulnerable communities.
The police have said protesters must operate within the law, while authorities continue to monitor preparations for the planned mobilisation. The government has also indicated that immigration enforcement will continue independently of the protests.
The developments have placed South Africa at the centre of a growing debate over how African countries should manage migration, borders and economic opportunity. For Pretoria, the challenge is not only enforcing immigration legislation but doing so without allowing legitimate concerns over migration to become a catalyst for violence or discrimination against foreign nationals.
With September 30 approaching, attention is now turning to the scale of the planned demonstrations and the government’s response. The outcome could have wider implications for South Africa’s immigration policy, relations with neighbouring countries and the treatment of millions of migrants living and working within its borders.
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