WATCH | Tensions rise as March and March enters PMB’s ‘Little Somalia’

The March and March movement intensified its campaign against undocumented foreign nationals on Thursday by moving into a section of West Street in Pietermaritzburg, commonly known as “Little Somalia”, where members went door-to-door calling for people they allege are living in the country illegally to leave.

The operation, which drew a large crowd of supporters, saw police monitoring the situation as the group entered residential properties occupied mainly by Somali nationals.

ALSO READ | March and March sets sights on more Pietermaritzburg businesses

Although no immigration officials were present, several foreign nationals who were unable to immediately produce documentation were taken by police for verification of their immigration status.

The latest operation forms part of March and March’s ongoing campaign, which the organisation said will now take place every Thursday in different parts of uMgungundlovu to identify people it alleges are undocumented and to pressure authorities to enforce South Africa’s immigration laws.

Tensions remained high as residents watched the operation unfold, while police maintained a visible presence to prevent violence and ensure public order.

No incidents of violence were reported, and the number of people taken in for verification had not yet been confirmed.

March and March accuse police of undermining the campaign

The movement’s uMgungundlovu leader, Mxolisi Nxumalo, accused police of frustrating the organisation’s campaign against undocumented foreign nationals, claiming officers were protecting foreign nationals instead of assisting communities.

ALSO READ | March and March supporters target foreign-owned businesses in PMB

Speaking during Thursday’s operation, Nxumalo said he was disappointed by what he described as a lack of police support during inspections targeting suspected undocumented foreign nationals.

He alleged that police had failed to provide enough vehicles to transport people identified by the organisation as undocumented to police stations for processing and verification.

“We are disappointed because the police are protecting foreign nationals instead of working with us,” Nxumalo said.

He argued that law enforcement agencies should work alongside community organisations to address what he described as the growing influx of undocumented immigrants.

According to Nxumalo, the organisation’s objective is to ensure that people who are in South Africa illegally are identified and handed over to the relevant authorities for verification of their immigration status.

ALSO READ | March and March intensifies inspections of foreign-owned businesses

“This movement is for the people, and it must be respected. We expect the police to work with us, not against us, when we report people we believe are in the country illegally,” he said.

March and March has maintained that its campaign is aimed at undocumented immigrants and has repeatedly called on authorities to strengthen immigration enforcement.

Police had not responded to Nxumalo’s allegations by the time of publication.