KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has confirmed that the planned 30 June march against undocumented foreign nationals will go ahead with the support of the provincial government.
Ntuli made the announcement during the Undocumented Foreign Nationals Summit, themed “Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla”, held at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel and Conference Centre on Thursday.
Addressing delegates, the Premier rejected claims that South Africans are xenophobic, pointing to the country’s long history of welcoming people from across Africa and beyond.
“KZN has been a place where people from various countries and cultures have come to work, learn and socialise. This proves that we are not xenophobic,” he said.
Ntuli said the summit aimed to create a platform for constructive dialogue and move beyond stereotypes surrounding migration.
He noted that undocumented migration was a global challenge driven by factors such as economic instability, poverty and political circumstances, and was not unique to South Africa or KwaZulu-Natal.
“We should ensure that South Africa’s approach to migration is guided by the Constitution while recognising human rights and fair treatment for all nations,” he said.
The Premier stressed that migration issues should not be viewed through a narrow lens and called for greater collaboration among Southern African countries.
“We need to work together as SADC countries to solve the challenges faced by all nations,” he said.
Ntuli revealed that extensive consultations had been held with communities, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders ahead of the summit. Engagements were also conducted with representatives from countries including Mozambique, Malawi and Pakistan.
According to the Premier, these discussions highlighted the need for cooperation and joint action in addressing migration-related concerns.
Reaffirming the province’s position on the upcoming march, Ntuli said concerns raised during consultations had been considered and that the demonstration would be peaceful and focused on raising awareness.
He urged organisers and civil society leaders to ensure the march remained disciplined and did not send the wrong message.
The Premier also warned that law enforcement agencies should act decisively against individuals who attempt to incite violence or exploit the march for personal gain.
“I am aware that there are opportunists who will see 30 June as a platform to portray themselves. In such cases, police must arrest those people,” he said, drawing applause from delegates.
Ntuli added that authorities should also take action against anyone using social media or other platforms to spread messages that could incite violence.
