Pretoria, South Africa — The 30 June protest in Durban, organized by anti-illegal immigration groups, unfolded largely peacefully, according to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. During an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration briefing, Kubayi commended the commitment to peace, restraint, and respect for the rule of law demonstrated by citizen community leaders, organizers, civil society formations, religious leaders, and law enforcement agencies.
The protest, which aimed to demand the expulsion of undocumented immigrants from South Africa, saw a crowd of over 15,000, mainly young people from various townships, participating in the demonstration. Despite tensions and divisions among the movement’s leaders, such as the exclusion of March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma from a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the protests remained peaceful overall.
In Durban, the main march proceeded without incident, with participants carrying traditional weapons, cowshields, and knobkieries. While some called for more forceful action, many emphasized the peaceful nature of their protest. Kubayi acknowledged isolated incidents of looting but stressed that the main demonstrations remained peaceful. “.
We commend citizen community leaders, organisers, civil society formations, religious leaders, and law enforcement agencies for their commitment to peace, restraint, and respect for the rule of law throughout the country, “she.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies were deployed across the country to ensure public safety. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia urged protesters to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and maintain peace during the demonstrations.
As the country continues to grapple with migration and immigration policies, the peaceful nature of the 30 June protests highlights the importance of lawful and democratic processes in addressing concerns.
The government’s commitment to managing migration and maintaining public order remains a priority as it seeks to balance the rights of citizens with the needs of those seeking refuge or employment in South Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Zandile.Khumalo
