The South African government has commended citizens for largely peaceful demonstrations concerning irregular migration, while cautioning that individuals involved in looting or criminal acts during these protests will face prosecution. The Government Communication and Information System GCIS reported that most migration-related protests remained peaceful, with law enforcement responding to isolated incidents of looting. The government expressed appreciation for citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest responsibly and praised community leaders, organizers, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and law enforcement for ensuring peaceful demonstrations. It stated that the peaceful conduct reflects the country's democratic values. While acknowledging effective policing, the government confirmed responses to isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting, vowing to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for criminal conduct. The government welcomed the rejection of violence and criminality by most protesters, emphasizing that such actions undermine safety and economic prosperity. It also acknowledged genuine concerns among South Africans regarding unemployment, irregular migration, service delivery, border security, and public safety, stating these issues deserve systematic address through lawful processes. The GCIS reaffirmed the government's commitment to President Cyril Ramaphosa鈥檚 Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, a five
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
Former President Jacob Zuma recently visited India, where he met with Ajay Gupta, who faces corruption accusations. Zuma stated that he believes he now has the "power" and inspiration to win the upcoming local government elections after visiting a Hindu temple with Gupta. Zuma described Gupta as a "friend" and "brother," and mentioned that Gupta introduced him to a "man of God" in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Zuma expressed happiness about the encounter, feeling it has given him inspiration to lead his people. He also defended the Gupta family to Indian media, suggesting that South African authorities pursued them because they disapproved of their work with him. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast suggested Zuma's trip might have been to seek financial support from the Gupta brothers for his uMkhonto weSizwe Party MK party. Another political analyst, Theo Neethling, noted that the visit indicates Zuma's continued relationship with the Guptas, though there is no publicly verified evidence of a resumption of the type of relationship that led to state capture allegations.
The March and March movement has announced weekly protests against undocumented immigration, giving the government six months to address the issue. Leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma stated that marches will occur every Thursday until undocumented migrants are gone. The movement demands an increased budget for the Border Management Authority BMA and 10,000 BMA officials to secure borders. Recent nationwide protests, while starting peacefully, escalated into violence, looting, intimidation, and clashes with police in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The Siyafana Sonke Campaign reported a deterioration in the situation, with protests turning violent in areas like Joburg's inner city, where there were reports of window smashing, threats, and attempts to storm flats. A vehicle was set alight, and belongings of homeless people were reportedly burned. In Yeoville, shops and cars were targeted. In Berea, protesters allegedly threw stones and attempted to loot a bottle store. The South African National Defence Force was deployed to Kliptown. In Alexandra, foreign nationals were reportedly harassed. Protesters in Daveyton demanded documentation from migrants, while in Germiston, alleged citizen's arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants occurred. In Tembisa, hawker businesses owned by foreign nationals were forced to close, and in Cosmo City and Mamelodi, Somali-owned businesses were targeted by looters. In Durban and Pietermaritzburg, large-scale marches took place, with reports of intimidati
Experts have commended law enforcement's handling of recent countrywide anti-immigrant protests, contrasting it with the 2021 unrest. Willem Els, a senior criminologist from the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted the proactive strategy of the acting police minister, effective public communication, and the good work of policing sector stakeholders. He noted that the inclusion of the private sector and security companies in a holistic approach helped deter criminal elements. Els also pointed to the readiness of police and security, along with warnings about the rule of law, as contributing factors to the peaceful marches. An incident in Worcester, Western Cape, where marchers attempting to loot a shopping mall were dispersed and arrested, demonstrated this readiness. Mike Bolhuis, a specialist investigator, described the protest day as "under extreme control by the government," crediting government and private security services, and public cooperation. Witness Maluleke, a senior criminologist from the University of Limpopo, observed high police visibility in Johannesburg, Polokwane, and Pretoria CBDs, noting that protesters were peaceful and no injuries or human rights infringements were reported. Maluleke also commended the march organizers for ensuring the protection of human life and conveying their message without violence.