XENOPHOBIC UNREST: ‘Foreign nationals must go’ — marchers reject Ramaphosa’s intervention

Anti-foreigner groups marched through the East Rand on Monday, rejecting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s immigration reforms and warning businesses to terminate employment of all foreign nationals – including those with valid documentation – by 30th June.

On Monday, 8 June, anti-foreigner marches continued in Ekurhuleni’s industrial hubs, including Boksburg, Springs and Benoni. The protest included members of March and March as well as the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF-ASA).

The demonstration began on Monday morning along Benoni’s Main Reef Road, where marchers moved from one business to another, stopping to engage with business owners. Many marchers carried golf clubs, wooden sticks and sjamboks as they walked under SAPS escort. It remained peaceful throughout the day, with no reported incidents of violence or unrest.

The protest followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Sunday, which focused on cracking down on illegal immigration and protecting local labour. He said the government would increase workplace inspections to stop companies from hiring undocumented migrants and penalise employers who break the law.

Ramaphosa also warned against vigilantism and intimidation of foreign nationals. On Monday, marchers largely dismissed his policy reforms.

According to organisers, the purpose of the march was to urge businesses to terminate the employment of foreign nationals, regardless of their documentation status, before 30 June 2026, a deadline set by anti-foreigner groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

At several stops, marchers addressed business owners directly and said they were giving them time to make alternative employment arrangements.

Bongani Mthethwa from ATDF-ASA was one of the organisers of the march. For years, the ATDF-ASA has campaigned against foreign truck drivers being employed in the sector and has often led protests closing major roads.

When asked whether there would be consequences for businesses that failed to comply, Mthethwa told Daily Maverick that the group was not requesting that foreign nationals leave the country, but rather informing them to do so.

He maintained that the campaign was being conducted peacefully and that employers were being given sufficient notice.

Several marchers told Daily Maverick that they would like all foreign nationals to leave South Africa (SA), not only those without legal documentation. “They can come to visit but not to work,” said Mthethwa.

The most common justification offered by marchers was that foreign nationals occupy jobs that should be fil