Civil society groups and political parties staged protests in Durban and Johannesburg demanding stricter immigration laws and tighter border controls.
These demonstrations signal growing domestic pressure on the government to address unemployment and resource allocation by prioritizing South African citizens over foreign nationals.
The protests have been ongoing for two weeks [1]. Organizers include the civic organization "March and March," which was joined by political parties such as ActionSA and various vigilante anti-migrant groups. A notable rally occurred on a Wednesday in March 2026 [2].
Protesters are calling for "South African-first" employment policies. They said undocumented foreign nationals are taking jobs and resources from citizens. The movement seeks a comprehensive overhaul of immigration enforcement to prevent undocumented migration.
Reports on the geographic scope of the unrest vary. Some sources indicate the protests took place in Durban only, while others report activity on the streets of both Durban and Johannesburg. The demonstrations have specifically targeted Nigerians and other foreign nationals in some instances.
The groups involved demand that the government implement more rigorous border controls to secure the country's perimeter. They said current laws are insufficient to protect the local labor market from foreign competition.
“Protests have been ongoing for two weeks”
The alignment of civic organizations like March and March with political entities like ActionSA suggests a broadening coalition pushing for nationalist economic policies. By linking undocumented migration directly to the scarcity of jobs and resources, these groups are leveraging economic anxiety to pressure the state for more aggressive border security and protectionist labor laws.
