GQEBERHA, EASTERN CAPE — A major immigration protest unfolded in Gqeberha as Eastern Cape residents took to the streets to march against undocumented migrants, demanding stricter law enforcement and a comprehensive review of foreign nationals operating within the province. The demonstration marks a significant escalation in local efforts to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration in the region.
While recent unrest has also included protests in the rural town of Thornhill outside Gqeberha, the primary focus of this latest demonstration centered on Gqeberha. The march serves as a direct follow-up to previous demonstrations that began in March and April. During those earlier protests, traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape marched against the unauthorized coronation of a Nigerian traditional king. Since that incident, traditional leadership has been in ongoing discussions with the Nigerian consulate to mend diplomatic relations strained by the unauthorized crowning.
Concurrently, residents have been actively delivering memorandums of demands to local government structures regarding the presence of illegal foreign nationals. Prior demonstrations specifically targeted hotspots identified by the community, including the areas of California and Quigney. These grievances were previously presented to the Buffalo City Metro. Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Princess Faku has also engaged directly with the community, previously hosting an imbizo in California where she echoed the sentiment that undocumented migrants are unwelcome, pledging that the government would do everything within its power to address the issue in the Eastern Cape.
During today’s procession, march organizers delivered a comprehensive memorandum of demands to several key institutions in Gqeberha, including the Department of Home Affairs, the Magistrate’s Court, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the office of the Buffalo City Mayor. According to the protest organizers, these specific departments hold the authority necessary to tighten regulations and limit the unchecked freedoms of undocumented individuals who allegedly operate without consequence in the city.
Among the participants were local food delivery drivers, who acted as key spokespersons for a specific sector of the local economy. These drivers highlighted that the food delivery business in the city has become heavily dominated by foreign nationals, many of whom they believe are undocumented. They alleged that some of these drivers are adept at manipulating visits from Department of Home Affairs migration officers, underscoring the urgent need for stricter departmental oversight.
The memorandum presented by the organizers outlines several stringent demands aimed at overhauling immigration and local law enforcement:
- Permit Suspension: A review and temporary suspension of all new work and resident permits until a comprehensive assessment of existing permits is conducted to ensure current holders comply with South African migration laws.
- Stricter ID Verification: Enhanced verification processes for all identity documentation to prevent unqualified individuals, both foreign nationals and citizens, from obtaining fraudulent IDs.
- Embassy Accountability: Improved cooperation with foreign embassies and consulates to ensure they take responsibility for their nationals residing in South Africa.
- Police Conduct and Corruption: Direct action to debunk allegations of police officers dealing in drugs with foreign nationals, alongside strict measures to address and prosecute bribery within the police service.
- Fast-Tracked Prosecutions: Expedited prosecution for all cases related to undocumented foreign nationals.
Despite a heavy police presence, today’s immigration protest in the Eastern Cape remained entirely peaceful, with demonstrators strictly obeying police instructions. This stands in stark contrast to a march a few months prior, which turned violent after a South African marcher from KwaZulu-Natal was allegedly stabbed by a foreign national. That previous incident sparked widespread commotion, resulting in property destruction and multiple injuries. However, organizers and law enforcement confirmed that no such violent acts occurred during this latest demonstration, allowing the residents’ demands to be delivered peacefully.
