South African Activists Call for Mass Deportations Amid Rising Tensions

On March 27, 2026, a civic group named March and March organized a rally in Durban, South Africa, advocating for stricter immigration laws and enhanced border controls. The group, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, expressed particular criticism towards migrants from Nigeria, labeling them as "parasitic" and associated with crime. The rally saw participation from several political parties, including ActionSA and the vigilante group Operation Dudula, which has been described as xenophobic. Ngobese-Zuma articulated concerns regarding the impact of immigration on South African citizens' access to jobs, education, and healthcare, stating, “Make them pay for their own healthcare if they want to be here in the country milking our resources.”

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March and March was established in 2025 to address public concerns about immigration policies and their effects on local employment and safety. Ngobese-Zuma has faced legal challenges, including criminal charges for inciting public violence against immigrants during previous demonstrations. The group has been vocal about its belief that undocumented migrants are unfairly occupying resources and opportunities that should be reserved for South Africans. In a statement, they declared, “We will not stop fighting until our people are free and liberated from the modern-day occupation of their Country by criminals from all over the world.”

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At the rally, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba criticized the South African government for its perceived inaction regarding immigration, stating, “We are seeing our government allowing our country to be flooded by groups from all over the world.” Other political entities present included the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which was founded by former President Jacob Zuma. Participants voiced concerns about job losses to illegal immigrants, with one elderly marcher lamenting, “Where will our children get jobs?”

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Operation Dudula, founded in Soweto in 2021, has gained notoriety for its aggressive stance against migrants, claiming that many of South Africa's drug-related issues are linked to foreign nationals. The group has faced accusations of targeting foreigners indiscriminately, regardless of their legal status. The rally ended with police intervention, employing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd after some demonstrators reportedly began harassing bystanders and looting.

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Following the rally, Ngobese-Zuma expressed frustration over the lack of communication from law enforcement regarding her legal situation, stating, “The police have not given us any feedback.” She criticized the authorities for attempting to intimidate activists through legal means. The ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies in South Africa reflect a broader societal debate about national identity, resource allocation, and the rights of foreign nationals.

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• “Make them pay for their own healthcare if they want to be here in the country milking our resources for all that they have,” March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma complained.” — Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Leader of March and March

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• “ “We are seeing our government allowing our country to be flooded by groups from all over the world as far as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mexico, all over the world.” — Herman Mashaba, ActionSA Leader

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• “Jobs are being taken away by our brothers from other parts of Africa who are here illegally. Where will our children get jobs?” — Thembi Dlamini, March Participant

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• “It’s very ridiculous for them to try and use the law to intimidate people. I am not going to be intimidated by anyone.” — Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Leader of March and March

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