Anti-Immigration Group Plans Mass March as Government Tightens Border Controls Ahead of 30 June Deadline

Nkosikhona "Phakel'umthakathi" Ndabandaba said the 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa will not lead to violence or looting. The leader of the Insizwa Ngobunsizwa Development Foundation spoke on Sunday and stated there would be no looting or attacks.

"We will be showing the government that we are a peaceful group of people, and there will be no looting as we lead one million men," Ndabandaba said.

His foundation is working with March and March against illegal immigration. Ndabandaba welcomed steps announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber after officials seized contraband worth more than R1-billion at the Beitbridge border. Schreiber said the time for South Africa's borders to be a free-for-all is over.

The Border Management Authority announced plans to use new technology at the borders. The system will include facial recognition and electronic traveller checks to help detect undocumented migrants entering South Africa. Ndabandaba said he believed government was finally taking the issue seriously.

"I can confirm and take you into my confidence that the government is doing something about the issue of illegal immigration," he said. Ndabandaba admitted that expecting every undocumented migrant to leave the country by 30 June was not realistic. He said those who can leave voluntarily should do so and called on African countries whose citizens are in South Africa illegally to help evacuate them safely before the deadline.

Ndabandaba said the campaign was aimed at forcing government to act, not at attacking foreign nationals. He said the movement would be peaceful and would show that communities want firm action without chaos.