‘We have no intention of collapsing the economy’: Mchunu calls time on anti-migrant marches

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Durban – Anti-migrant activist and former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu has called for an end to ongoing protests against undocumented migrants, saying continuous demonstrations could harm South Africa’s economy.

According to reports, this comes after the March and March movement suspended its working relationship with him pending an internal investigation.

The movement announced on Monday that it had resolved to distance itself from Mchunu after its leadership allegedly uncovered evidence of attempts to weaken the organisation, IOL reported.

National spokesperson Sandile Dube said an investigation by the movement’s governance and legal compliance wing found alleged interference by political actors and business cartels aimed at destabilising the movement.

“The movement has come to the conclusion that these actions are orchestrated by lazy thinkers, criminals and beneficiaries of colonialism who do not see anything wrong with our youth languishing in drugs, unemployment and the dilution of our identity while they live large at the expense of our indigenous people,” the report quoted Dube as saying.


He said the investigation pointed to “an offer and acceptance of gratification in exchange for the soul of the Movement and our people”, prompting the organisation to suspend its association with Mchunu while further investigations continue.

In a video posted on Monday, Mchunu dismissed the fallout, arguing that the campaign had already achieved its objectives after more than 1,000 marches held across the country ahead of the movement’s 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.

“We are very happy because our actions have started to yield results,” Mchunu said.

He insisted that while the movement had not achieved everything it had set out to do, there was no justification for indefinite protests.

“As much as we did not accomplish everything we set out to do, we cannot march forever. That is the truth, because we have no intention of collapsing the economy,” he said.

Mchunu also reminded supporters of his own legal troubles during the campaign, saying:

“I speak as someone who has been arrested.”

He further criticised March and March leaders Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakela’umthakathi, suggesting they lacked the experience needed to lead the movement.

“My fellow leaders, Phakela and MaNgobese, are junior to me. They are excited by everything, including the limelight and relevance.

“I am no longer excited. I have become a visionary. I know what to do and when to do it. When someone is weak, someone else has to protect everyone. We must lift one another up,” he said.

The dispute follows nationwide demonstrations held on 30 June, during which the movement demanded tougher action against undocumented migrants. Mchunu and Ndabandaba also met President Cyril Ramaphosa shortly before the protests.

Despite the split, March and March has vowed to continue its campaign. Ngobese-Zuma previously announced that the movement would hold demonstrations every Thursday for three months until the government responds to its demands.

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