VAAL TRIANGLE – Hundreds of frustrated residents took to the streets in a peaceful protest against illegal immigration, marching to the Department of Home Affairs and the Sebokeng SAPS.

The protest gained momentum just before noon, with scores of community members demanding that the government and law enforcement enforce stricter immigration laws and remove undocumented individuals.

The protest coincided with a June 30 deadline set for the departure of illegal immigrants in South Africa.

Protesters blame illegal immigrants for high unemployment rates among South Africans, arguing that foreign nationals accept low wages and dominate the township economy. Residents expressed frustration over struggling to find work without government support.

Nkosinathi Nkosi from the Sebokeng Forum spoke to Sedibeng Ster calling on the government to take decisive action against lawlessness.

In a formal memorandum, the Progress Civics Congress (PCC) demanded that the police and the Department of Home Affairs publish and execute a concrete plan to identify, process, and remove all undocumented foreign nationals in Sebokeng.

“We instruct the Emfuleni Local Municipality, together with law enforcement, to close all spaza shops, salons, and other formal trade businesses operated in violation of the Immigration Act, within five working days of receipt of this memorandum. The law must be applied without fear, favour, or prejudice.”

The PCC declared that Sedibeng would not be a haven for lawlessness, stating that as organised citizens, they would defend their communities.

Law and order were maintained throughout the march by Sebokeng SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Thembekile Kubone, local police officers, and the Emfuleni Traffic Department, while simultaneous operations were also conducted in Orange Farm and other locations.