Police arrested 69 people aged 18 to 52 on charges of public violence after an anti-immigrant march in Jeffreys Bay turned violent on Thursday morning. According to police spokeswoman Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the unrest in Oceanview resulted in the looting of at least 23 spaza shops and left one person injured and hospitalized.
Law Enforcement Response in Kouga Region
Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana stated that police have intensified visibility and deployed additional law enforcement resources in the Kouga region. The situation remains unstable, though personnel have been reinforced. The 69 suspects are scheduled to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Vuyisile Ncata confirmed that manpower has been bolstered in the district. Ncata called on local leaders to urge residents to act within the law, stating that police “will not hesitate to act on lawlessness.”
Did You Know? The Jeffreys Bay residents marched under the “Abahambe” banner, a term meaning “they must go,” prior to the June 30 deadline set by activists.
National Anti-Immigration Campaign Context
The violence in Jeffreys Bay is part of a broader nationwide campaign led by the group March and March. The movement’s leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, addressed thousands in Durban on June 30, which served as a self-imposed deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. The group has committed to marching every Thursday until the government acts on undocumented migrants and tightens border controls.
This campaign has expanded to Garankuwa, Mthwalume, KuGompo City, and Olievenhoutbosch. Organizers are targeting both documented and undocumented foreign traders. According to an AFP tally based on repatriation figures from African countries, nearly 150,000 people have left South Africa in recent weeks.
With the SA Spaza and Tuck-Shop Association admitting they have no contingency plan to replace foreign-owned shops, the state faces a potential vacuum in local retail infrastructure if these businesses are forced to shut.
Casualties and State Security Measures
National unrest around the June 30 date led to more than 900 arrests. In Alexandra, one person was shot dead during the looting of foreign-owned spaza shops. Two others, including a 17-year-old, were injured in a shooting in Hillbrow that required the deployment of soldiers.
To combat the violence, Police minister Firoz Cachalia announced a R600m police operation, deploying SAPS across all nine provinces. To protect those targeted in Jeffreys Bay, Brigadier Gantana confirmed several foreign nationals were moved into a temporary shelter.
Potential Future Developments
Police may execute more arrests as the investigation into the Jeffreys Bay looting continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the anti-immigration marches?
The movement is led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of the group March and March.
What are the demands of the March and March movement?
The group demands that the government tighten border controls and take action against undocumented migrants.
How many people have left South Africa recently?
According to an AFP tally of repatriation figures, nearly 150,000 people have left the country in recent weeks.
Do you believe increased police visibility is enough to stabilize regions affected by these marches?
Related reading