MBOMBELA, Mpumalanga – Members of the March and March Movement, alongside local residents, conducted a peaceful march through the Mbombela Central Business District earlier today, calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the city and the province.
The demonstrators traversed several streets within the CBD, including areas reportedly associated with criminal activity, substance abuse, and informal trade. Anderson Street was specifically highlighted by participants as a location of concern regarding alleged illicit activities.
Protesters presented a memorandum to the Mbombela Local Municipality and visited the Department of Home Affairs offices to formally register their grievances. According to movement representatives, the demonstration was motivated by community concerns that undocumented foreign nationals are involved in the sale of drugs to youth, are increasingly dominating local commerce within the CBD, and are allegedly exploiting vulnerable young people, including through illegal prostitution.
Stone Malope, a leader representing the protesters, addressed the gathering and affirmed the community’s position. “We are here to demand that Home Affairs and municipal authorities take decisive action regarding the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in our province,” Malope stated. “Residents feel their safety, economic opportunities, and social fabric are under pressure, and we are calling for enforcement of immigration laws.”
During the march, observers noted that several foreign-owned businesses along the route were closed. Protesters reiterated that their appeal is directed at undocumented individuals, emphasizing that their concerns relate to legal status and alleged criminal conduct, not foreign ownership in general.
The memorandum handed to municipal officials reportedly requests coordinated intervention by Home Affairs, law enforcement, and local government to address the protesters’ concerns. The March and March Movement indicated they will await an official response from authorities regarding next steps.
Local law enforcement monitored the demonstration, which concluded without reported incidents. The Mbombela Municipality and Department of Home Affairs have not yet issued a public statement in response to the memorandum.
