March and March has launched a three-month nationwide campaign urging parliament to enforce stricter immigration laws, with weekly protests, petitions, and community dialogues aimed at addressing what the movement describes as systemic failures in immigration enforcement. The civic organisation, which marked its first anniversary in March 2026, insists the campaign is focused on equal enforcement of laws and not targeting individuals based on race or nationality, as confirmed in official statements and spokesperson interviews.

Campaign Activities And Parliamentary Petition

The campaign, which began officially on 8 July 2026, includes weekly Thursday protests, pickets, and blitzes at key economic points across the country, as reported by East Coast Radio and confirmed by March and March leadership. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, an organiser, stated, “We will keep the pressure on by protesting every Thursday.” Recent demonstrations have been held in Durban, Springs, Kwa-Thema, Boksburg, and Mbombela, where hundreds called for the enforcement of immigration and municipal by-laws and the deportation of undocumented immigrants, according to multiple regional reports.

March and March has formally petitioned parliament to mandate a digital audit of asylum documentation, business, and work permits granted in recent years. The group’s memorandum also urges municipalities to consider by-laws reserving township economies for South African citizens and calls for strengthened border management, citing their concerns over state capacity, unemployment, and the strain on public services.

Movement Rationale And Broader Significance

Representatives repeatedly clarified the campaign does not target individuals based on race or socioeconomic status. In a statement attributed to a March and March spokesperson and published by The Citizen, the organisation affirmed, “Our campaign is not driven by race, nationality, or socioeconomic status, but by a demand for equal enforcement of immigration and municipal laws.” A further spokesperson explained during a demonstration that “Our focus is specifically on undocumented foreign nationals. We want to make it clear that we are not opposed to people who are in the country legally.”

The movement’s push comes amid ongoing public debate over immigration’s impact on jobs, crime, and national sovereignty in South Africa. March and March’s initiatives reflect growing pressure on parliament and municipalities to address both legal enforcement and the economic implications of undocumented migration. The call for a digital audit and municipal by-law changes represents an escalation not just in advocacy but in policy demands from grassroots civic groups. Engagements with political parties and a planned national dialogue in Gauteng highlight efforts to broaden support for strengthened immigration controls.

The campaign is expected to continue through September 2026, with further demonstrations and parliamentary engagement anticipated as policy discussions evolve.