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Members of the March and March movement moved through several Pietermaritzburg suburbs on Friday, inspecting businesses and residential properties where they suspected undocumented foreign nationals were working or living, while police maintained a visible presence to ensure the operation remained peaceful.

The group, accompanied by SAPS officers and private security companies, visited businesses in Manchester Road, Northdale, Raisethorpe and surrounding areas as part of its ongoing campaign calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.

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uMgungundlovu police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala said Public Order Police (POP) members had been deployed to monitor the operation while police continued with their own law enforcement duties.

“They are monitoring the situation and are also conducting their operational duties. They have been effecting arrests of illegal immigrants and will be taking them to the station for processing.

“There is no violence, and anyone found participating in violence will be arrested. We also urge members of the community to report any violent activities and open criminal cases where necessary,” said Gwala.

March and March uMgungundlovu leader Mxolisi Nxumalo said members were visiting businesses as part of the organisation’s campaign against undocumented immigration.

Mi7 National Group director Colin David said about 50 members of the movement had been travelling through Pietermaritzburg’s northern suburbs since around midday.

“Mi7 Strategic Threat Response Unit teams first encountered the group near Northway Mall before they began moving along Rosedale Road and Manchester Road, visiting several businesses where they enquired about employment opportunities,” David said.

He said the group later attempted to gain access to a mosque on Vanker Road before continuing to Dr Chota Motala Road, where members were searching for people they suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals.

“Mi7 teams remain deployed across the affected areas and are working alongside SAPS and other private security companies to monitor the situation, which is ongoing,” David said.

Police officers, Mi7 and other private security companies, including AET, remained deployed across the affected areas throughout the operation.

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No incidents of looting, violence or injuries had been reported by the time of publication, and the group had moved through the affected areas without any major disruptions.