Pretoria – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says government is not concerned about the threat of weekly protests against undocumented immigration, saying that demonstrations are already taking place regularly and are being managed by law enforcement to ensure they remain peaceful.
The minister’s remarks follow comments by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, who said the group intends to give government six months to remove illegal migrants from the country.
Ngobese-Zuma told thousands of supporters in Durban: “Every Thursday, for the next six months, we are marching until they are gone,” adding that the movement would continue until government begins to listen and act.
Watch below as Ngobese-Zuma speaks
#March & March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announces rolling action every Thursday to march against undocumented foreign nationals in the country. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/fMd4YHfrLw
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) June 30, 2026
The movement has also issued a list of demands, including increased funding for the Border Management Authority (BMA), arguing that limited resources are contributing to the rise in undocumented migration. Ngobese-Zuma further called for a significant increase in border staff, saying the country needs about 10 000 officials deployed at its borders.
“We want our borders to be secure, whether you install a fence or a wall, but it’s time now that we protect ourselves,” she said.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, Ntshavheni said government was not concerned about the announcement of weekly demonstrations, noting that protests had already been taking place daily since the beginning of June.
“We are not worried because there have been demonstrations actually every day since the beginning of June,” she said, adding that while not all members of the public may be aware of them, protests had been occurring in different areas.
JUNE 30 PROTESTS | Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says government is not worried about the threat of weekly protests against undocumented immigration in the country. pic.twitter.com/JrxycttvKU
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 30, 2026
She further said authorities had been ensuring that demonstrations remained peaceful, with law enforcement and security structures intervening where necessary.
“We have been making sure that those demonstrations are safe and those demonstrations are peaceful. Where there was interventions needed, the law enforcement agencies and the security infrastructure intervened,” she said.
Ntshavheni also dismissed concerns about possible disruptions, saying government had already assured the public that the country would remain stable during recent demonstrations.
JUNE 30 PROTESTS | Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says: “There’s no apartheid government destabilising any country now, 32 years on, so we must all take responsibility for ensuring political stability in our countries.” She adds that “there’s no single country… pic.twitter.com/jV2Ho986Dy
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 30, 2026
“We assured you that the country will be safe. There’s not going to be a shutdown. There’s not going to be intimidations,” she said, adding that marches held in the run-up to 30 June had remained peaceful and complied with the law.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
