CAPE TOWN, Western Cape – The Democratic Alliance has urgently called on Parliament to convene the security cluster committees to address the escalating threat of xenophobic violence in South Africa. The opposition party is demanding immediate action and clear preparedness plans ahead of a highly anticipated and controversial June 30 march organized by anti-immigrant groups.
Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, the DA’s Parliamentary Chief Whip and leader in Parliament, highlighted the growing anti-foreigner sentiment that has been building over the past few weeks and months. She expressed deep concern over the planned march on June 30, noting the uncertainty surrounding its organization and the potential for unrest. While acknowledging the legitimate sentiments of South African citizens regarding immigration, Breytenbach stressed that the country is a constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law. She warned against a repeat of the deadly violence seen three years ago, when police were caught unprepared, emphasizing the critical need to prevent unnecessary violence and preventable loss of life.
When questioned about the government’s preparedness—given recent addresses by the President and the interministerial committee on the issue—Breytenbach expressed strong doubt. She stated that the DA has seen no signs of a widespread, countrywide plan from the police. “We are not feeling comfortable with what we perceive as a lack of proper preparedness,” she noted, adding that if a comprehensive plan exists, it needs to be communicated to the public immediately.
The movement at the forefront of the demonstrations, referred to in the discussions as “March and March,” claims its focus is strictly on illegal immigration rather than xenophobia. Breytenbach did not entirely dispute their motives but warned that emotions can easily spiral out of control in the heat of the moment. She emphasized that citizens cannot take the law into their own hands, as the movement has no legal authority to enforce immigration laws or interfere with immigrants. She pointed out that the Department of Home Affairs has been dealing with the issue quite well and making significant strides over the past few months.
Furthermore, Breytenbach confirmed that a recent DA statement criticizing the government for doing little to stop an “unaccountable organization sowing fear, hatred, and division” was a direct reference to the “March and March” movement. She argued that the government must not allow the stirring up of negative emotions, insisting that all individuals in South Africa are human beings who deserve to be treated with basic dignity. She also highlighted recent incidents in Durban, warning that once a march turns violent and gets out of hand, it becomes a fire that is incredibly difficult to extinguish.
Addressing the root causes of the tension, Breytenbach agreed that the current crisis would not exist if immigration and the ingress and egress of individuals across the borders had been handled properly over the past 30 years. While she praised the Department of Home Affairs for its recent efforts, she acknowledged that a year of improvements is not enough to fix decades of accumulated issues, porous borders, and massive illegal immigration challenges. However, she firmly stated that these issues must be resolved through legal channels, not by victimizing people to the extent of being burned or killed.
Ultimately, Breytenbach explained that a joint meeting of the security cluster committees—which include police, justice and constitutional development, security, home affairs, and correctional services—is essential. She stressed that Parliament has a responsibility to ensure the country does not “go over the edge.” With less than two weeks remaining until the June 30 march, she insisted that these committees must urgently verify that a robust security plan is in place, or rapidly develop one if it is currently lacking.
