Protesters took to the streets of Mbombela on Tuesday, June 30, as part of the March and March protest against illegal immigration in South Africa.

Residents from Mbombela and surrounding areas joined the march and handed a memorandum to the City of Mbombela’s (CoM) executive mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, demanding urgent intervention from authorities.

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The memorandum states that illegal immigration has contributed to organised crime, including drug and human trafficking, posing significant risks to South Africans. It further states that the protesters hold municipal officials and various government departments accountable for failing to address the issue.

“The purpose of this memorandum is to request urgent intervention regarding the enforcement of immigration legislation, employment legislation, municipal by-laws, business licensing requirements, public health legislation and crime prevention within the CoM,” said Khanya Dlamini, the Mbombela March and March protest leader.

March and March protesters previously marched to the municipality’s offices on May 29, where they submitted a memorandum outlining concerns affecting local communities.

According to the protesters, the memorandum requested a written response within seven days, but the municipality allegedly failed to respond.

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Responding to the protesters, Makushe-Mazibuko said she was unable to receive the previous memorandum as she was attending a council meeting on the day it was submitted. After the memorandum was handed over, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

According to the Joint Operation Command (JOC), no further protest action is expected. The JOC has stood down but will remain on standby should any future incidents arise.