Government must take responsibility for any 30 June unrest, says Ngobese-Zuma

Organisers behind the planned nationwide demonstrations on 30 June say government, not protest organisers, should be held responsible for any violence or unrest that may occur during next week’s action.

The coalition of civic groups backing the campaign against illegal immigration, which includes March and March and United South Africa, made the remarks during a media briefing in Midrand on Wednesday, as the South African Police Service (SAPS) continues preparations for the planned demonstrations. Authorities have placed leave on hold for many officers and redirected around R600 million towards operational readiness.

March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, says maintaining law and order and protecting citizens is the responsibility of the state.

“If there’s anyone that must shoulder any blame for the 30th, it’s the government. Those are the ones who must take responsibility for anything that happens on the 30th. Don’t point the finger on us. We’ve done our due diligence.”

The coalition insists it is not advocating violence and says participating organisations have complied with legal requirements governing public demonstrations.

The groups have also sought to reassure South Africans that the demonstrations will be peaceful, saying, there will be no looting, destruction of property or attacks on foreign nationals.

United South Africa representative, Musa Kahlongwa, says supporters have been urged to act within the law and to avoid intimidating communities or targeting businesses.

“No one will be violated. No one will be killed on the 30th of June. And no looting, I repeat, no one will be violated. No one will be killed on the 30th of June and no looting will take place in our name.”

The demonstrations form part of a broader campaign calling for stricter immigration enforcement, improved border management and action to address unemployment. The groups accuse government of failing to respond adequately to concerns over illegal immigration, porous borders, human trafficking and pressure on public services.

Meanwhile, the movement says it is also engaging political parties ahead of the 30 June deadline in an effort to secure support for policy changes on immigration and law enforcement.

Ngobese-Zuma says March and March has held discussions with several political parties, including Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille and Afrika Mayibuye, to establish their positions on illegal immigration and potential action if elected to local government.

“We’ve been very clear in the stand that we will talk to political parties. And we do that deliberately because we are not in Parliament, and there’s a number of policies that we want to be changed in Parliament. So when we engage political parties, it’s with that in mind. It’s also to understand where political parties stand with the issue of illegal immigration.”

Ngobese-Zuma says the organisation intends to hold political parties accountable for commitments made on immigration enforcement, municipal by-laws and prioritising South Africans in local government policy.

Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, has maintained that 30 June will be treated as a normal business day, with police and other law enforcement agencies on standby to maintain law and order across the country.

Why are you against Jacinta and March and March? Tell the truth coz it sounds personal. Bothata ke eng? https://t.co/SJlQjjuMPU

— Made in KwaZulu-Natal 🪐 🇿🇦🐐 (@NhlanhlaMBh_le) June 24, 2026

When all is said and done, I hope we do not forget that our favorite celebrities that we like so much and follow on all these socials, the ones we support never spoke for South Africa.

I Miss AKA because I know he would have been dragged alongside Jacinta Ngobese.

— Chefete 🇿🇦🇩🇪👑 (@Luyoh_Luthuli) June 24, 2026

As things stand, Jacinta Ngobese and her crew are making a more compelling argument to their supporters than our government is making to the general populace, not supporting their activities.

— T (@Uncle_Thaps) June 24, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe