Cape Town – The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has warned that violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct during protests against undocumented foreign nationals could destabilise communities, cautioning that the province must not repeat the turmoil experienced during the July 2021 unrest.
According to the IOL, ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said the party was aware of several incidents involving violence and threats linked to some of the ongoing demonstrations.
The party also expressed concern over what it described as unlawful citizen patrols, alleging that unauthorised individuals were conducting random checks on people’s citizenship status and infringing on the rights of others.
“The ANC is firmly opposed to these tendencies and urges law enforcement agencies to play their role in this regard,” Sonjica said.
While acknowledging that South Africans have a constitutional right to protest, the ANC stressed that demonstrations must be conducted responsibly to prevent tensions from escalating.
“A maximum sense of responsibility should be the hallmark of these protests to avoid escalations that could cause instability,” Sonjica said.
The March and March organisation is holding a protest march in KuGompo City re-iterating its position for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. For more visit https://t.co/TS6YUmN424
Credit: Ntombozuko Balintulo pic.twitter.com/bd6mLhFxPV— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 24, 2026
He warned that KwaZulu-Natal remains deeply scarred by the events of July 2021 and urged communities to avoid actions that could trigger further unrest.
“The wounds of the July 2021 unrest remain unhealed for many who were victims of that violence and looting, and we all should be careful not to descend into that pit of instability again,” he said.
Meanwhile, the March and March movement is holding a protest in KuGompo City, maintaining its stance that undocumented migrants should leave South Africa.
Speaking to MDN News, the organisation’s leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma condemned the killing of foreign nationals, saying no loss of life can be justified regardless of nationality.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has condemned the killing of foreign nationals in South Africa, saying no life should be lost regardless of nationality. pic.twitter.com/I7sZ4W6z6Q
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 24, 2026
“Killing of anyone is wrong, it’s not a one-sided thing. Many South Africans have died at the hands of drug-dealing foreign nationals, and in today’s briefing we want to highlight that when you emphasise one side and make the other side seem like they are the evil ones, it is not helping the situation,” she said.
The comments come amid growing debate over illegal immigration, public safety and the conduct of protests taking place across parts of the country.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
