COVERAGE: #30June anti-migration protests

JOHANNESBURG - 30 June marks the day several anti-illegal immigration groups are expected to lead protests across the country, calling for action against undocumented migrants.

The South African Police Service, together with other law enforcement agencies, says it has undertaken extensive planning to ensure the protests remain safe and secure.

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7.30pm 

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says despite reports of isolated incidents during the 30 June protest, demonstrations were largely peaceful.

She was speaking during an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration briefing

eNCA's Naomi Kobbie reports from Pretoria.

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6.30pm

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says they will protest until their demands are met.

She says rounds two and three of the protest are loading.

eNCA's Siphamandla Goge reports from KwaZulu-Natal.

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6pm

A car was torched in Hillbrow after there was a shooting incident that resulted in the injury of two people.

The SANDF was then deployed.

eNCA's Silindelo Sebata reports from Johannesburg.

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4.15pm

Police have fired rubber bullets as tensions rise in Germiston. Foreign nationals have been removed from their homes.

eNCA's Aviwe Mtila reporting from Ekurhuleni.

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3pm

In Mdantsane, community members are going door-to-door to homes they believe are occupied by alleged illegal activities.

eNCA's Ronald Masinda reports from the Eastern Cape.

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2.45pm

Tensions are brewing in Ekurhuleni and police have taken people in for them to have their statuses verified.

eNCA's Aviwe Mtila reports from Germiston.

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2.37pm

Protests are continuing in Cape Town and there is a heavy police presence.

No major incidents have been reported.

eNCA's Nobesuthu Hejana reports from Cape Town.

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1.25pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration. 

Organisers in Yeoville are keeping a tight grip on the protesters. Rocks have reportedly been thrown. 

eNCA's Silindelo Sebata reports from Johannesburg.

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1.19pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration. 

They are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the deportation of undocumented migrants. 

eNCA's Dasen Thathiah reports from Durban.

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1.12pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration.

They are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

eNCA's Siphamandla Goge reports from Durban. 

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12.51pm

In Cape Town, eNCA reporter Kevin Brandt reports that the Epping Home Affairs office is still processing the paperwork of migrants. 

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12.46pm

Malawian nationals remain stranded at a temporary repatriation processing centre in Musina, Limpopo.

Many have spent up to three nights sleeping on buses or on the ground while waiting to return home.

Government established the temporary facility to facilitate their repatriation through the Beitbridge Border Post.

eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto joins us with the latest.

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12.40pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration.

They are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

eNCA reporter Silindelo Sebata is tracking this story for us in Johannesburg.

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12.35pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration.

They are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

eNCA reporter Naomi Kobbie is tracking this story for us in Pretoria.

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12.20pm

Thousands of South Africans across the country are marching against illegal immigration.

They are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws, and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

eNCA reporter Siphamandla Goge is in Durban.

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12.01pm

KuGompo City and the Buffalo City Metro residents are slowly taking to streets in their anti-illegal immigration marches. 

Police are leaving nothing to chance and are out in numbers monitoring the demonstrations. 

March and March has been staging regular protests outside foreign-owned spaza shops in KuGompo City. 

They accused one of the shop owners of selling drugs.

eNCA reporter Ronald Masinda is monitoring the developments. 

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11.57am

Vusimuzi Sibanda, Chairperson of the Africa Diaspora Global Network, said one of the issues that is important is that of illegal migration.

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11.47am

South Africa must enforce its immigration laws and this should not be confused with what critics describe as xenophobia.

This is the view of ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba.

He argues that illegal immigration has reached crisis levels in the country and calls for urgent government intervention.

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11.26am

Planned protests against illegal migration get underway this morning. 

In Durban, activists and members of the public are expected to march through the city’s streets. 

eNCA senior reporter Dasen Thathiah is monitoring developments from the air. 

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11.02am

In Durban, activists are gathering at King Dinuzulu Park before marching through the city's streets to voice their frustrations over irregular migration.

eNCA senior reporter Siphamandla Goge has more.

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11.02am

Western Cape police are also on high alert.

Thousands are still camping at the Epping Repatriation Centre, waiting to go home.

Officials are working around the clock, concerned about possible attacks on those who are yet to be processed.

eNCA reporter Nobesuthu Hejana joins us as we monitor developments from the Mother City.

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10.54am

Anti-illegal migration marches are getting underway across South Africa.

In Tembisa, hundreds of people are gathering to march.

eNCA reporter Nabeelah Shaikh has more.

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10.33am

Anti-illegal migration marches are getting underway across South Africa.

There are demonstrations planned in several cities as groups call for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

eNCA reporter Naomi Kobbie is in Pretoria.

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10.33am

Anti-illegal migration marches are getting underway across South Africa.

There are demonstrations planned in several cities as groups call for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

eNCA reporter Nabeelah Shaikh is in Johannesburg.

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10.23am

As anti-illegal migrant marches get underway across the country, voluntary repatriations are continuing in Cape Town. 

eNCA reporter Kevin Brandt has the latest.

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10.16am

Police have been deployed to monitor several protests planned across Gqeberha, Mthatha and Komani.

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation has advised businesses in the Buffalo City Metro to shut down temporarily as a precautionary measure.

eNCA reporter Ronald Masinda has more.

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10.04am

Police are on high alert in KZN ahead of anti-illegal migrant protests. #enca #dstv403 

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9.56am

Traffic volumes are increasing at the Beitbridge Border Post as scores of people are travelling home.

eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto has more. 

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9.37am

March and March say they will not search anyone, stating they have no mandate to do so, and that only police and immigration officials are legally permitted to conduct such searches.

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9.27am

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure will provide an update on police deployments ahead of today's anti-illegal migration marches.

Nationwide deployments will enforce safety and security, ensuring the demonstrations proceed peacefully and without violence.

eNCA reporter Naomi Kobbie is tracking this story for us in Pretoria.

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9.08am

Planned protests against illegal migration get underway this morning.

In Durban, activists and members of the public are expected to march through the city’s streets.

eNCA senior reporter Dasen Thathiah is monitoring developments from the air.

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8.52am

Police are on high alert as multiple demonstrations are planned across major cities. 

Durban has been identified as a hotspot, with authorities monitoring developments closely. 

eThekwini police spokesperson Boysie Zungu says law enforcement is prepared for any eventuality as operations are ramped up across the city. 

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8.41am

Malawian nationals remain stranded at a temporary repatriation processing centre in Musina, Limpopo.

Many have spent up to three nights sleeping on buses or on the ground while waiting to return home.

Government established the temporary facility to facilitate their repatriation through the Beitbridge Border Post.

eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto joins us with the latest.

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8.37am

Thousands of Eastern Cape residents are also taking to the streets today. 

The unofficial deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country has arrived.

Police have been deployed to monitor several protests planned across Gqeberha, Mthatha and Komani.

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation has advised businesses in the Buffalo City Metro to shut down temporarily as a precautionary measure.

eNCA reporter Ronald Masinda has more.

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8.33am

Thousands of people are expected to march across the country today.

In Johannesburg, we're tracking the March and March leg of the protest, starting from Beyers Naudé Square to Constitution Hill.

eNCA reporter Nabeelah Shaikh has the latest.

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8.30am

Threats, intimidation and violence will not be tolerated.

That's the warning from government as protesters take to the streets in demonstrations against illegal immigration.

In Durban, activists are gathering at King Dinuzulu Park before marching through the city's streets to voice their frustrations over irregular migration.

eNCA senior reporter Siphamandla Goge is there.

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8.28am

Police have been deployed in large numbers, the army is on standby and businesses in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are preparing for possible disruptions.

Undocumented foreign nationals have been given an unofficial deadline to leave the country by today.

Concerns remain over possible protests and violence.

But is this the beginning of tougher immigration enforcement? Or something else?

We get the views of Chris Hattingh from the Centre for Risk Analysis.

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8.10am

Airlines are warning of possible flight delays and disruptions ahead of Tuesday's anti-immigrant protests.

CemAir says airport access, staffing levels, security screening and baggage handling could be affected.

The airline says it's working with airport authorities to limit disruption and is urging travellers to arrive early and monitor updates.

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8am

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who's also chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on migration, is joined by the Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni.

They're briefing the media on anti-illegal migrant marches taking place in Johannesburg.

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7:58am

Gauteng police say they are ready to manage the planned protests taking place across the province.

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to participate in marches calling for undocumented migrants to be deported.

Officers have been deployed across Johannesburg and other key areas to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.

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7:32am

Police in the Eastern Cape have briefed the media ahead of the 30 June anti-migrant protests, confirming they will be on high alert across major cities.

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7:22am

As anti-illegal migrant marches get underway across the country, voluntary repatriations are continuing in Cape Town.

Those who have chosen to return to their home countries are being processed by Home Affairs at its Epping facility.

The City of Cape Town says its Safety and Security Directorate is working closely with the SAPS and Home Affairs to respond to any disruptions or unrest.

eNCA reporter Kevin Brandt has been monitoring the repatriation process.

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7:20am

Planned protests against illegal migration get underway this morning.

In Durban, activists are gathering at King Dinuzulu Park before marching through the city's streets.

Authorities will be closely monitoring the demonstrations to ensure they remain peaceful, with minimal disruption.

eNCA senior reporter Dasen Thathiah will be monitoring developments from the air as the day goes on.

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7:12am

Thousands of South Africans are expected to march across the country today.

The groups are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and deportations of undocumented migrants.

In Johannesburg, we're tracking the March and March leg of the protest, starting from Beyers Naudé Square to Constitution Hill.

eNCA reporter Nabeelah Shaikh has the latest.

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6:57am

Johannesburg is on high alert as thousands are expected to take to the streets for several marches across the CBD, Hillbrow and Midrand.

While authorities say the demonstrations are lawful, they come against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding today's deadline.

At the same time, officials are warning the public against sharing unverified messages that could fuel panic and misinformation.

The JMPD's Xolani Fihla has more.

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6:20am

Foreign nationals are still awaiting transport home. 

Many have spent days sleeping on buses or in the open, raising concerns about delays and conditions at the processing centres. 

eNCA’s Nokwazi Qumbisa is in Durban with the latest developments.

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6:18am

Thousands of Malawian nationals remain stranded at temporary repatriation sites in Limpopo as they await transport home. 

Many have spent days sleeping on buses or in the open, raising concerns about delays and conditions at the processing centres. 

eNCA’s Moloko Moloto is at the temporary repatriation centre in Musina with the latest developments.

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6.02am

Santaco says taxis will operate normally despite widespread protests against illegal migration.

Santaco president Motlhabane Tsebe said their role is to provide transport and as such, operations will run as expected.

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6am

The country's law enforcement agencies are leaving nothing to chance ahead of the anti-migrant protests.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures has declared its operational plans fully activated. 

Natjoints Chairperson Tebello Mosikili says every law enforcer understands their mandate.

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6am

Road closure alert | From Midrand to Pretoria, here are routes to avoid on 30 June

Confirmed Pretoria march route

In the City of Tshwane, the Tshwane Metro Police confirmed streets that will be affected by the march, which is set to commence at 10am.

According to the metro police, marchers will gather at Church Square in Pretoria Central and proceed to Sunnyside.

Affected routes include :

  • Church Square
  • Paul Kruger Street
  • Lilian Ngoyi Street
  • Madiba Street
  • Nelson Mandela Drive
  • Kortze Street
  • Van Boeschoten Avenue
  • Robert Sobukwe Street
  • Leyds Street

According to the Tshwane Metro Police, there will be alternative routes available.

  • Nana Sita Street
  • Visagie Street
  • Justice Mahomed Street
  • Jeff Masemola Street
  • Johannes Ramokhoase Street
  • Struben Street
  • Bloed Street
  • Kgosi Mampuru Street
  • Eskia Mphahele Drive

Confirmed Johannesburg  march route

Much like Tshwane, those traveling through and in Johannesburg have been urged to place ahead by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

According to JMPD, at least three legally approved marches have been scheduled to take place across key areas in the city, mainly the inner city of Johannesburg, Hillbrow and Midrand (Glen Autin).

The largest procession in the inner city is expected to draw approximately 5000 marchers who will begin the protest at 10 am until the afternoon and is expected.

JMPD said protestors in the inner city will focus on inner-city safety, youth development and access to community services.

Hilbrow march is expected to attract just over 100 participants, while Midrand is expected to to have 800 demonstrators

Affected routes

  • Beyers Naudé Square
  • Constitution Hill
  • Helen Joseph Street
  • Troye Street
  • Twist Street
  • Kotze Street
  • Queen Plein
  • Dale Road
  • Modderfontein Road
  • Sandton Plant Hire Offices

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