South Africans Arrested as Anti-Immigration Protests Escalate in Cape Town

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178 people have been arrested in Cape Town, with 165 undocumented immigrants and 13 South Africans held for looting and public violence-related offences. Protests are intensifying as groups vow to collect a response to a memorandum handed over to the Western Cape Government. The demonstrations, led by organisations such as March and March, Operation Dudula, and the Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO), claim undocumented migrants contribute to unemployment, crime, and social challenges.

Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said SAPS members, supported by law enforcement partners, remained on high alert. "The situation remains under control, with deployments continuing at identified hotspots and key locations. Police will continue to act decisively against any person involved in criminal conduct, violence, intimidation, looting or damage to property," he said.

The Western Cape Government has maintained that it cannot regulate hiring practices in the private sector. Director-General Dr HC Malila told the crowd that "the province lacks the legal authority to direct the hiring practices of private companies, nor do we appoint individuals to positions in the private or NGO sectors."

The memorandum, submitted alongside more than 100 CVs from unemployed South Africans across the province, called on the provincial government to ensure that the Department of Employment and Labour inspects private businesses to determine whether employees are legally entitled to work in South Africa. Responding on behalf of the Western Cape Government, Dr Malila said that "matters relating to employment contracts, deductions, union membership, and compliance with labour legislation fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Employment and Labour and the CCMA."

LACO representative Sipho Mahilili said the purpose of Tuesday's march was to collect a response to the memorandum handed over to the Western Cape Government on June 11. "We are here to get the response because the deadline has passed, yet they have not responded," Mahilili said. "We have sent emails and made calls, and we have not heard anything back."

The response from the Western Cape Government was met with frustration from sections of the crowd. "They want us to do their job for them," one protester shouted. Mahilili urged supporters to remain mobilised and watch the organisations' social media platforms for details of future demonstrations, signalling that the June 30 protests are expected to be followed by further action targeting the national government.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined commuters on a bustling MyCiTi commute into the CBD on Tuesday. He also received a briefing from safety officials at the City’s joint operations centre in Goodwood, which monitored the situation metro-wide. "All roads are open and free-flowing, with no incidents related to xenophobic violence. We appeal to the public to please report any incidents to 021 480 7700 and do your part in not disseminating false information," said Safety and Security mayco member JP Smith.