Anti-undocumented migrant groups vow to continue protests in Western Cape

Protests took place across the Western Cape on Tuesday as the June 30 deadline set by groups advocating for action against undocumented migrants approached. 

Demonstrators gathered in Cape Town, Hermanus, Kraaifontein, and Delft, representing organisations such as March and March, Operation Dudula, and the Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO). They vowed to intensify their campaign, citing an unsatisfactory response from the provincial government.

Although Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said earlier in the morning that the city had not received a formal application for a march, a demonstration later proceeded through the Cape Town CBD. The crowd, which started with relatively small numbers, grew as supporters from different groups joined the march.

The demonstrators argued that undocumented migrants contribute to unemployment, crime, and social challenges, including gender-based violence and drug abuse – claims that remain widely contested and are not supported by a single body of evidence.

LACO representative Sipho Mahilili said the purpose of Tuesday’s march was to collect a response to a memorandum handed over to the Western Cape Government on June 11.

“We are here to get the response because the deadline has passed, yet they have not responded,” Mahilili said. “We have sent emails and made calls, and we have not heard anything back.”

The memorandum, submitted alongside more than 100 CVs from unemployed South Africans across the province, called on the provincial government to ensure that the Department of Employment and Labour inspects private businesses to determine whether employees are legally entitled to work in South Africa.

Responding on behalf of the Western Cape Government, Director-General Dr H.C. Malila told the crowd that the province lacks the legal authority to regulate hiring practices in the private sector.

“The Western Cape Government does not have the mandate to direct the hiring practices of private companies, nor do we appoint individuals to positions in the private or NGO sectors,” Malila said.

“Matters relating to employment contracts, deductions, union membership, and compliance with labour legislation fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Employment and Labour and the CCMA.”

Malila also returned the CVs submitted with the memorandum.

“I return the CVs that you have submitted to us outside of the formal public sector recruitment process.”

He advised LACO and the protesters to direct their concerns to the provincial inspectorate of the Department of Employment and Labour, which has the authority to investigate alleged non-compliance with labour legislation.

The response was met with frustration from sections of the crowd.

“They want us to do their job for them,” one protester shouted.

“Then who is hiring the undocumented car parking guards?” another called out, drawing cheers from the demonstrators.

Addressing supporters after the response, Mahilili said Tuesday’s march marked the beginning of a broader campaign.

“The 30th is just the start. This day is just the beginning, and we will not stop until we win. We got a response from the province, and they are directing us to the national department. That is where we will go.”

Mahilili urged supporters to remain mobilised and watch the organisations’ social media platforms for details of future demonstrations, signalling that the June 30 protests are expected to be followed by further action targeting the national government.

Cape Argus