March and March protest: SA braces for MASS action on Wednesday

South Africa is bracing for another day of mass protest action as March and March prepares to take to the streets on Wednesday, 30 September.

The movement has called for demonstrations in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and other major centres, three months after its nationwide mobilisation against undocumented immigration.

However, Wednesday’s action is expected to carry a broader message, with crime and gender-based violence (GBV) now also featuring prominently in the group’s campaign.

March and March has called on South African men to participate in what it describes as a ‘Men’s March against GBV and Crime’.

The organisation has linked the call to the recent murders of women in Ekurhuleni.

March and March prepares for 30 September

The September protest follows a commitment made by March and March after its 30 June demonstrations, when the movement said it would return to the streets after three months.

The group has continued campaigning for stricter enforcement of South Africa’s immigration laws and action against undocumented immigration.

Africanews reported earlier this month that March and March expected a much larger mobilisation on 30 September, with leader Sphelele Shinga saying activists expected up to 1.5 million people to participate.

That figure is the group’s expectation and has not been independently verified.

The planned demonstrations have also raised concerns among migrant communities.

In Durban, migrants previously living at a makeshift camp outside Home Affairs offices agreed to relocate following concerns about their safety amid demonstrations by March and March supporters.

What happened during the June protests?

The 30 June demonstrations resulted in disruption and incidents of violence and looting in some areas.

Reuters reported at the time that anti-immigrant protesters marched in several South African cities, with some demonstrations affected by violence and looting.

Authorities deployed large numbers of police officers to prepare for the protests, while businesses in some areas closed ahead of the planned action.

The September mobilisation has therefore prompted renewed attention on public safety and the potential impact on businesses, commuters and communities.

GBV becomes part of the message

March and March has added a specific call for men to speak out against violence against women.

The movement says men should take responsibility for addressing GBV and crime, describing Wednesday’s action as an opportunity to make their voices heard.

The issue comes amid renewed national concern over violence against women following a series of killings in Ekurhuleni.

On Monday, activists and residents marched to the Kempton Park police station following the murder of another woman, demanding improved policing and progress in investigations into the killings.

Police and government response

The 30 September protest deadline is a demand made by the protest movement and does not have legal authority over undocumented migrants or government institutions.

Police have previously indicated that their focus will remain on maintaining law and order and responding to incidents during demonstrations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called for calm and unity, while maintaining that South Africa has a responsibility to manage its borders and enforce its immigration laws.

The latest mobilisation comes against a backdrop of heightened concern about crime and violence across the country.

With demonstrations planned for Wednesday, attention will now turn to crowd numbers, possible disruptions and whether the protests remain peaceful in the major centres.