Residents of Orange Farm took to the streets in a peaceful anti-illegal immigration march, calling on authorities to strengthen efforts against undocumented foreign nationals living and working in the community.
The demonstration was organised by community members to raise concerns over illegal immigration, unemployment and compliance with South Africa’s immigration laws. Community leaders said they are awaiting a response from the Department of Home Affairs after giving the department five days to consider their demands.
The march also proceeded to Eyethu Mall, where community members wanted to engage with the centre manager over concerns that some businesses operating at the mall may be employing undocumented foreign nationals. However, the manager was unavailable at the time, and the community was unable to present its concerns directly. Community leaders said they intend to continue engaging with the mall’s management.
Busisiwe Zwane, head of Public Safety in Ward 2, said the community believes undocumented foreign nationals are contributing to unemployment and limiting opportunities for South Africans.
“We are in this march because we want undocumented people, or people who do not have proper papers, to leave our country. Our own people who are educated can’t even find jobs because of these people. They are everywhere. The purpose of the march is for them to leave,” Zwane said.
Orange Farm SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Manamela said the march was peaceful and well coordinated, with no incidents reported.
“Today we had a march by the community in protest against illegal immigrants in the country. We marched through several areas, including Extension 2 and along the main road. So far, we have not received any reports of negative incidents,” he said.
Brig Manamela further explained that during the march, community members alerted authorities to a local business that was allegedly employing six or seven undocumented foreign nationals. SAPS and officials from the Department of Home Affairs visited the business, where employees’ documentation was collected for verification.
Manamela emphasised that the operation was not intended to target or shut down businesses but to ensure that everyone living and working in South Africa complies with the law. He also encouraged employers to verify the documents of foreign nationals with the Department of Home Affairs before hiring them to avoid unknowingly employing people using fraudulent or invalid documentation.
He thanked the community, march organisers, Home Affairs officials and business owners for their cooperation, saying the peaceful nature of the demonstration reflected the community’s willingness to work with law enforcement to address crime and other challenges affecting Orange Farm.
Home Affairs immigration official Mr Bona Sera said the department joined the operation to support law enforcement in ensuring compliance with South Africa’s immigration laws.
“We are here to assist law enforcement and ensure that illegal migration is addressed. Everyone employed in businesses should be in possession of the necessary documentation, including valid work permits where required, unless they qualify under special dispensations,” Sera said.
Sera added that officials collected several documents from employees at one of the businesses for further verification. He explained that some of the documents belonged to Zimbabwean nationals and would be checked to determine whether the holders qualified under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit dispensation or possessed other valid documentation allowing them to work in South Africa.
He said if the documents were found to be invalid or fraudulent, the law would take its course, including possible action against the employer where necessary. Authorities confirmed that the verification process is ongoing and that the community will receive feedback once the investigation has been completed.
