The founder of March and March, Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma, joined a large crowd of supporters in Mtwalume on July 9.

The protest against illegal foreigners in the area saw the group march from Gobhela Primary School to Sibanini Sportsground.

Residents have blamed some community leaders in the area of hiding illegal foreigners and allowing them to operate businesses.

During the march, some of the community members wanted to go to Nkanini Sportsfield, where they believed that some foreign nationals were hiding.

The crowd became unruly as the mayor of Umzumbe Local Municipality, Bongani Nyuswa, addressed them. They did not want to listen to him and said that he is one of the people who has enabled the illegal foreigners to do as they please in the area.

Another issue raised was that most of the illegal foreigners who own spaza shops are stubborn, rude and say they are not going anywhere.

According to Nyuswa, the municipality had a meeting with the foreigners a few weeks ago, it was not to protect them, but to avoid violence.

“We had asked all foreign nationals to come to the municipal offices so that we could bring the Department of Home Affairs to vet them, but none of them came forward.”

MaNgobese Zuma said that the community has a right to call the police if they have information on where illegal foreigners might be hidden.

She added everywhere the organisation goes, the community is taught about their rights and how to exercise them.

“What is sad is that sometimes the police enforce the wrong laws. We want illegal foreigners to come forward and explain why they are refusing to go back to their countries.”

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