WATCH: Newcastle joins national protest against undocumented immigrants
Newcastle joined in on the nationwide movement, marching against illegal immigrants in South Africa.
Demonstrators marched through central Newcastle this morning, down Allen Street to the municipal offices on Scott Street, calling on the government to crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
The march was part of a nationwide call against illegal workers. It was said that undocumented workers are employed at various businesses, especially in the Newcastle industrial area.
Not mincing his words, Newcastle Council Chief Whip, Zwe Nxumalo, urged local businesses, especially factories, to stop hiring undocumented immigrants, claiming it undermines job opportunities for South African citizens.
The protest organizers handed over a formal memorandum of demands to Thengi Zulu, the Speaker of the Newcastle Council. The document laid out clear expectations — including stricter enforcement against employers hiring illegal workers, swift action to remove undocumented foreigners and the end of foreign-owned spaza shops in town.
In response, Zulu affirmed the municipality’s support for the cause, referencing recent municipal crackdowns on undocumented street traders.
“Our municipality has always prioritized our citizens,” he said. “We agree that those here illegally must return to their countries. We’ve even taken steps regarding foreign-owned spaza shops. We called on residents renting space to foreigners to register those businesses in their own names but not a single one stepped forward.”
The group has given the municipality a 30-day deadline to meet their demands.
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