Hundreds protest undocumented immigration in Durban as organisers highlight gender-based violence

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Durban in protests against undocumented immigration, as the March and March movement pressed its call for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa by September 30.

The group described the date as an unofficial deadline and organised demonstrations across several provinces. Organisers said the marches also denounced gender-based violence.

Protests amid anti-immigration campaign

The demonstrations took place against the backdrop of an intense anti-immigration campaign that has continued in South Africa for several months. The campaign has been accompanied by episodes of violence against foreign citizens.

Several immigrants have been killed, although the official death toll remains disputed between South African and foreign authorities. The available information does not establish a single agreed figure for those deaths.

An AFP tally, based on figures released by African governments that repatriated their nationals, indicates that more than 200,000 people have fled South Africa.

Gender-based violence concerns

The organisers’ decision to include gender-based violence among the issues cited by the marches comes amid renewed concern over violence against women.

At least 11 women were killed in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since mid-July. The discovery of women’s bodies in the area intensified alarm over persistently high levels of violence against women in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures on Tuesday aimed at better protecting women. Details of those measures were not provided in the available information.

The protests combine opposition to undocumented immigration with organisers’ stated denunciation of gender-based violence, while the broader debate remains marked by disputed casualty figures and substantial migration outflows.