Marlboro protest ends peacefully after residents engage with police
A peaceful June 30 protest in Marlboro ended after community leaders met with Bramley SAPS assuring them that the operations against illegal immigrants are underway, with residents asking the police to allow the community to assist in future operations.
Residents of Marlboro took to the streets on June 30 in a peaceful protest calling for stronger police action against undocumented immigrants, whom they claim have become dominant in the area.
The protest coincided with the June 30 deadline, set by anti-immigration activists for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, with protesters chanting ‘Aba hambe’, which means the illegal foreign nationals must go.
Read more: Hundreds of Malawians begin journey home as repatriation buses arrive in Woodmead
However, residents at the gathering maintained that their protest was intended to pressure law enforcement to act against illegal immigration, rather than targeting foreign nationals through violence.
Following engagements with members of the Bramley SAPS, the crowd dispersed peacefully after community leaders said they had reached an agreement to continue engaging with police.
Community member Siya Dumisa, who was engaging with the Bramley police and providing updates to the residents, said the main purpose of the gathering was to receive clarity from police on their plans to address illegal immigration in Marlboro.
“We gathered so that we can make a plan to get rid of illegal foreign nationals who have dominated Marlboro.
“As this is a peaceful protest seeking action from the police against illegal immigrants, we’ve decided that the police must come and address us so that we know what their plans are.”
Also read: Departing Malawian says SA’s weak justice system fuels illegal migration
According to Dumisa, police confirmed residents that operations were already underway, with officers allegedly apprehending around 20 undocumented immigrants each day.
However, he said residents had not seen evidence of those efforts.
“They say they do it, but we don’t see them. So, we don’t have assurance that it’s done or not done.”
Dumisa said residents had requested to accompany police during future operations to ensure transparency and assist by identifying locations where undocumented immigrants may be staying.
“We have made arrangements with the police that we will walk with them when they do the operation.
“We also don’t want innocent people to be hurt. Those who know that there’s a foreign national living in that room will help the police during their operations. We want assurance that the work is being done.”
He added that one of the aims of the protest was to unite residents who have become disconnected from one another.
“Our aim today was also to gather as Marlboro residents and get to know each other, because we do not know one another. Everyone just locks themselves inside their doors.”
Dumisa insisted that the protest was not intended to incite violence against foreign nationals.
“We had no intention of hurting Zimbabweans or Mozambicans. We used to live with them as friends and family, but what we’re doing today is also to remind them that this is our country, our land. They will never take it from us.”
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He acknowledged that tensions could arise during law enforcement operations, but said residents expected police to lead the process. “When police deal with the issue of illegal immigrants here in Marlboro, we also want to be part of it so that we have assurance that it’s done properly.”
He confirmed that Tuesday’s protest had come to an end following the engagement with police.
“Our protest for today ends here. We have an arrangement with the police. We’ll meet again and then have a conclusion.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Residents of Marlboro gather in a peaceful protest on #June30, calling for stronger police action against undocumented immigrants. After meeting with Bramley SAPS, community representatives said police assured them that operations were already underway and agreed to continue engaging with residents, who requested to assist officers in identifying areas of concern during future operations. The protest ended peacefully following the discussions. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #June30 #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica #Protest #LocalNews #TikTokNews #protest #tiktoknews #BreakingNews #cityofjoburg #satiktok_sa #2026 #illegalimigration #localnews #government #Marchandmarch #foryourpage ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Another resident, Msindiseni Buthelezi, said one of the community’s major concerns was housing, alleging that many rental rooms were now owned or controlled by foreign nationals.
“The issue that we are facing as residents in Marlboro is that foreign nationals are the ones owning the rooms that we are renting. We cannot continue paying rent to foreign nationals.”
Buthelezi also claimed that government-installed container homes, erected during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate residents, remain inaccessible.
“The government erected containers during Covid, so we could move in, but when we move in, we are constantly being evicted by the police,” he alleged.
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