Anti-illegal immigration activist Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the March and March movements, has reacted with heavy sarcasm to images showing foreign nationals sleeping on the pavement outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in the Durban CBD.
In a post on X, Ngobese wrote: “Apparently they are demanding their own building for their own community,” accompanied by multiple laughing emojis. The post was in response to pictures of a large group of foreign nationals, including women and children, who spent Thursday night on the streets after undergoing verification processes.
Ngobese has become one of the most prominent and outspoken voices against illegal immigration in South Africa. Through her March and March movements, she regularly organises protests demanding stricter border control, faster deportation of undocumented foreigners, priority for South African citizens in jobs and spaza shops, and tougher action against what she describes as the negative impact of uncontrolled migration on local communities.
The situation in Durban’s CBD has grown tense in recent days. Many verified foreign nationals have expressed fear of returning to townships and informal settlements, citing concerns over possible xenophobic attacks. This has resulted in a growing number of people camping outside government buildings, creating both a humanitarian challenge and public order concerns for the eThekwini Municipality.
Ngobese’s reaction reflects the frustration felt by many South Africans who believe the government is too lenient on immigration matters while local citizens continue to struggle with high unemployment, service delivery failures, and competition for limited resources. She has consistently argued that South Africa must put its own people first before accommodating large numbers of foreign nationals.
The Department of Home Affairs and the City of eThekwini are under increasing pressure to resolve the standoff. Plans for a repatriation facility have been mentioned, but the immediate situation on the streets continues to draw criticism from both pro-migrant rights groups and anti-immigration activists like Ngobese.
As the debate intensifies, Jacinta Ngobese and her supporters are expected to keep pushing for decisive government action. The images and her response have once again broug