South African Protesters Give Undocumented Migrants September 30 Deadline to Leave

DURBAN, South Africa — Protesters in South Africa have given undocumented migrants until September 30 to leave the country, warning that larger demonstrations could follow if their demands are not met.

Weekly protests have continued in Durban, where the movement has gained momentum in recent months amid growing tensions over immigration and the presence of undocumented migrants.

March and March leader Sphelele Shinga said activists were mobilising communities ahead of a major demonstration planned for September 30.

“You should know that all the communities are gathering up again. They are waking up, they’re standing up for their home, standing up for their country,” Shinga said.

He said protesters intended to make September 30 a major day of action, describing the planned mobilisation as an effort to demand that undocumented migrants leave South Africa.

Protesters Threaten Larger Demonstrations

Shinga claimed that as many as 1.5 million people could participate in the next major demonstration, although such a turnout has not been independently confirmed.

The movement's demands come after months of protests in Durban, with organisers continuing to call for tougher action over undocumented migration.

The latest mobilisation has also raised concerns about the safety and welfare of people involved in the demonstrations, particularly refugees and migrants who have spent extended periods on the streets.

Refugees Seek Alternative Arrangements

Princess Adjei, a Ghanaian refugee, said protesters supporting refugees could not remain on the streets indefinitely because of deteriorating safety conditions.

“We can’t keep sleeping on the streets forever as well. People have died because of sleeping on the street,” Adjei said.

She said the group was waiting for buses while authorities verified their documentation.

The situation has drawn support from peace activists, including Ela Gandhi, a former South African parliamentarian and granddaughter of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi joined supporters of the refugees during the demonstration and criticised rhetoric directed at migrants.

Ela Gandhi Rejects Anti-Migrant Claims

Gandhi disputed claims that migrants are responsible for many of the social and economic problems cited by protesters.

“The rhetoric that these people are using is completely untrue,” Gandhi said. “It’s not the migrants that are causing the problems that they talk about.”

Her comments reflect a wider debate in South Africa over immigration, unemployment, access to public services and crime, with migrant communities frequently becoming a focus of political and public tensions.

September 30 Deadline Raises Tensions

The September 30 deadline has raised the prospect of renewed large-scale demonstrations in Durban.

Authorities will face the challenge of balancing the right to peaceful protest with the need to protect migrants, refugees and other members of the public from intimidation or violence.

The scale of the planned mobilisation remains uncertain, but the continued weekly protests indicate that immigration is likely to remain a contentious issue in Durban in the weeks ahead.

As activists prepare for September 30, calls for undocumented migrants to leave the country are being met by human-rights and peace campaigners who argue that migrants should not be blamed for South Africa’s broader social and economic challenges.