DUTYWA, EASTERN CAPE — The anti-illegal immigration campaign across the Eastern Cape is rapidly gaining momentum as activists expand their protests to Dutywa, demanding decisive government action against undocumented foreign nationals before a strict June 30 deadline.
Following large crowds in Mthatha, hundreds of activists marched through the Dutywa Central Business District. The demonstration required a heavy police presence to line the streets and slow traffic along the N2 highway. The protest briefly turned tense when demonstrators demanded that a local shopping center shut its doors, insisting that businesses should not operate normally while their grievances regarding undocumented migrants remain unresolved.
According to a spokesperson for the protest organizers, the demonstration is part of a broader, sustained campaign that will extend beyond the June 30 ultimatum if the state fails to meet their demands. The organizers expressed deep frustration with the government’s handling of the immigration crisis.
“The government is not proactive in the approach,” a spokesperson for the organizers stated, criticizing the authorities for being passive rather than taking the initiative. The spokesperson highlighted recent claims by the government that undocumented foreigners were being apprehended and pushed out of the country, noting that new arrivals continue to enter daily.
“It means the government is not doing enough,” the organizer’s spokesperson argued, confirming that anti-illegal immigration groups will continue to apply mounting pressure until decisive action is taken regarding foreign nationals.
Following the march, protest leaders formally handed over a memorandum to local authorities. In response, a municipal spokesperson acknowledged the delivery of the document but requested additional time to coordinate with relevant national government departments before providing a formal answer. When pressed on a timeline for the response, the municipal spokesperson indicated it could take anywhere from a single day up to 21 days.
With the campaign now spreading to more towns across the Eastern Cape, organizers maintain that the Dutywa march serves as a critical step in escalating pressure on the government as the June 30 deadline rapidly approaches.
