No violence or criminality were reported as the March and March movement on the South Coast took to the streets for a peaceful protest from Marburg to Port Shepstone on June 30.

Chairperson of the movement, Sabelo Cele, said that this march was only the beginning of what needs to happen in Port Shepstone and surroundings.

“We want all salons in town to be occupied by South Africans and not illegal foreigners. We want shops in our rural areas and townships to be owned by our people, not people from outside who are in the country illegally.”

A community leader, Zwe ‘Somnyama’ Chiliza, alleged that some people are hiding illegal foreigners in their homes.

“We will follow the right channels to deal with such citizens.”

The chairperson of salons in Port Shepstone, Nonhle Shozi, said the fight is also against illegal foreigners who own salons.

“We are not stopping until every salon in town is owned by a South African.”

A resident from Mkholombe, known only as Mpinge, said his community is part of the march because they are tired of illegal foreigners hiding in their area.

“They run away from whatever they have done and hide in Mkholombe. A lot of foreigners have opened salons and are operating even now.”

Many shops were closed in Marburg and the CBD.

The marchers questioned why the shops were closed if owners have legal documents to operate and if they have not hired illegal foreigners.

According to Cele, local chiefs have also called on March and March to go into their areas to hold similar marches against illegal foreigners.