POLOKWANE – Businesses in the city, and in particular those in the transport industry, are ready to face the anticipated unrest and disruption planned for tomorrow (Tuesday).

Some operators conveying goods from farmers have indicated that they have loaded today (Monday) and will stand over at secured locations until the action has subsided.

“The market will anyway be closed on Tuesday, so we have no alternative,” an major operator said.

Other operators indicated that they are planning by the hour and will take final decisions as the situation dictates.

Migrant movement and rising tension across borders

South Africa is experiencing a wave of anti-immigrant unrest and tension, triggered by anti-immigrant groups like “March and March” that issued ultimatums demanding undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country before June 30.

Fearing violence, thousands of migrants from neighbouring countries are scrambling to leave or seeking temporary refuge, fearing for their lives and damage to property.

Thousands of foreign nationals, particularly from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, have queued at consulates or scrambled to catch buses home amid rising intimidation in a pre-emptive exodus.

Security response and government warning ahead of planned action

Determined to avoid a repeat of the July 2021 riots that claimed 350 lives and caused damage estimated at R50b, government says it is better prepared for tomorrow’s planned protests and law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS, have been placed on high alert nationwide, while President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster have urged communities to protest peacefully and warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands.