A march by Komani residents demanding the deportation of all illegal migrants turned violent on Wednesday after protesters allegedly forcefully removed a South African woman for taking pictures and videos of the demonstration.
Anelisa Ntozini, who is married to a Malawian man, told Komani News she was targeted by marchers who accused her of recording them.
Ntozini described the march as “politically motivated”.
“These people came to South Africa to work and are accommodated in our communities,” she said. “My husband is a mechanic and sells no drugs. These people who sells drugs.”
She said she is not opposed to the deportation of undocumented migrants, but drew a line between legal and illegal residents: “I am not against the fact that those who don’t have papers to be in South Africa must be deported. But those who have papers are here legally.”
Ntozini, who has a newborn baby, said deporting her husband would leave her unable to support the child. “This is election year and people will do anything to be noticed and elected to positions,” she said.
Protesters demanded that the Department of Home Affairs conduct door-to-door visits to all foreign national-owned shops and businesses. They also called for:
Verification of marriages between South Africans and foreign nationals, claiming South Africans are paid to enter such marriages, tighter border control to prevent illegal entry into the country, priority documentation of all people coming to South Africa, skills requirement – only foreigners with scarce skills should be allowed to remain
The marchers further demanded that all foreign nationals running shops and businesses be made to prove they comply with the law.
An official from the department of home affairs took the petition and promised to respond to the marchers soon.
He did not commit any date as he claimed that he will take the petition to his superiors.
