THEMBISA, GAUTENG — Thousands of residents have taken to the streets in a massive Thembisa march against undocumented immigrants, demanding immediate government intervention to address rising crime and the loss of local employment opportunities. Gathering initially near the Thembisa Plaza, the demonstrators—organized by the Tembisa Community Forum and other local groups—filled major roads and converged at the Rabasotho Police Station to deliver a formal memorandum of grievances.
The protest highlights deep-seated frustrations within the community, with marchers accusing foreign nationals of taking jobs and occupying housing meant for locals. According to the demonstrators, this influx has left many South African residents unemployed, vulnerable, and struggling to make ends meet.
Speaking during the gathering, a spokesperson emphasized that the residents are exhausted by the ongoing crisis. He described the area as a “crime scene” and accused undocumented individuals of terrorizing the community. The spokesperson demanded tangible intervention from the state, calling for the deployment of both the police and the military to restore order.
“We are tired of people who are here illegally to terrorize our communities,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the community is demanding visible action rather than empty political promises. He pointed out that while police presence is high, it often feels like the officers are merely observing the march rather than addressing the root causes of the violence. He also highlighted issues of illegal infrastructure, such as the unauthorized installation of boom gates by undocumented individuals to restrict access and control neighborhoods. Furthermore, the marchers directed their grievances toward specific local businesses, demanding the permanent closure of establishments like the “Luck Shop” and insisting that the foreign operators leave the area.
Another prominent voice at the protest was Nkosinathi “Phakela” Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakel’umthakathi. Ndabandaba echoed the sentiments of the crowd, pointing out that locals have been struggling to access basic housing and employment for over 22 years. “Our big issue here is that we don’t have houses. Foreign nationals are residing in those houses,” Ndabandaba explained, adding that the community feels political leaders have given up on addressing their plight. Following the rally, the protesters proceeded to the police station to formally hand over their list of demands to the station commanders.
Calls for Peace and Government Response
Amid the growing tensions and the vocal calls for foreign nationals to leave South Africa, a local nonprofit organization has stepped forward to promote unity. The group has called upon faith-based organizations, church leaders, volunteers, and beneficiaries to unite in prayer for peace and social cohesion. They are organizing an evening night of prayer on June 29, asking communities to pray with one voice during the commemoration of the social uprising.
Meanwhile, the national government has addressed the rising sentiments. During a recent speech, President Cyril Ramaphosa cautioned against blaming migrants for the country’s severe economic challenges. The President warned against the scapegoating of foreign nationals and stated that setting deadlines for undocumented migrants to leave the country is unnecessary, urging instead that the law be applied fairly while allowing the government the space to manage migration issues effectively.
Despite the President’s call for calm, the residents of Thembisa maintain that their daily realities of crime and unemployment require immediate, visible intervention from the state.
