Lead

South Africa's justice, crime prevention and security cluster ministers convened an urgent meeting on Monday at the Union Buildings in Tshwane to discuss rising anti-immigration protests and the broader challenge of illegal immigration. The meeting, attended by all security cluster ministers and senior national security officials, was called in response to a wave of community marches and mass protests against foreign nationals across the country.

Coverage Comparison

According to a statement from the JCPS cluster, the ministers met to finalize a framework on a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Later in the day, the ministers met with political parties, various groups and associations involved in the protests to establish rules of engagement and discuss government initiatives to address illegal immigration.

The meeting comes amid increasing tensions. The anti-immigration movement March and March has held several mass protest events in recent months in cities across South Africa, with copycat protests initiated by other organizations. The movement has set a deadline of 30 June for illegal immigrants to leave the country and for the government to provide a clear action plan, vowing to "shut down" the country if its demands are not met. This has sparked fears of a repeat of the June 2021 riots.

Key Claims

  • The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Ministers convened an urgent meeting on Monday to discuss rising protests on immigration and illegal foreigners in the country. The meeting was held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane and attended by all security cluster Ministers and senior officials responsible for national security.
  • The ministers met to finalize a framework on the national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, according to a statement by the JCPS cluster.
  • March and March has set a deadline of 30 June for illegal immigrants to leave the country and for the government to provide a clear action plan. The movement has vowed to "shut down" the country if the issue is not addressed correctly by the deadline.
  • There have been numerous instances of immigrants being assaulted and intimidated, and immigrant-owned shops being looted during the protests.
  • Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi warned against unlawful and violent conduct during the protests.
  • Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza said it is important for other countries to deal with the issues in their own country so that migrants are not "forced" upon South Africans.
  • March and March leader Sandile Dube said he had little confidence in the outcome of the meeting and that no clear action plan had been presented.
  • March and March founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma made several demands, including that the government "stop granting and processing all refugee applications."

Perspectives

Government

Ministers acknowledged that illegal immigration is a serious concern but cautioned against violent protest. They warned against unlawful and violent conduct and emphasized the need to address the issue through a national action plan to combat racism and xenophobia.

March and March

The anti-immigration movement has set a deadline of 30 June for the government to act, threatening to "shut down" the country if demands are not met. Leader Sandile Dube expressed little confidence in the outcome of the meeting, while founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma demanded, among other things, that the government stop granting and processing all refugee applications.