‘March and March’ founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has urged members of the Estcourt community not to engage in any unlawful activities on June 30, the date set by the movement as the deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

She made these remarks during yesterday’s (June 26) march against illegal foreign nationals in Estcourt. The movement previously announced June 30 as the deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, raising concerns about possible violence on the day.

Ngobese-Zuma said community members should remain calm and avoid any actions that could lead to unrest.

Movement rejects violence and looting

Ngobese-Zuma reiterated that the movement has never called for violence and has never encouraged people to loot businesses or attack foreign nationals.

She also urged residents of Estcourt not to engage in looting, referring to recent incidents that occurred following tensions over foreign-owned shops in the town.

Mayor Mduduzi Myeza faced legal action over posts he had made online regarding foreign nationals and a directive giving businesses 21 days to get their papers in order or close down.

On May 27, the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled that Myeza must remove certain posts from his Facebook account and issue an apology.

Marches to continue after June 30

Ngobese-Zuma said the movement’s activities would continue beyond June 30 and that marches would be intensified after the deadline. She maintained that the organisation’s objective is to continue raising concerns through lawful demonstrations.

Myeza, together with several councillors, participated in the march.

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