In Durban, tensions escalate as the March and March movement targets foreign shop owners, leaving many feeling vulnerable.
Image: Sipho Jack
A Somali shop owner, Ahmed Abdi, felt like his business premises on Bertha Mkhize Street in Durban’s CBD was at the centre of a storm brewing when hundreds of members from the March and March movement took to the streets on Tuesday.
The March and March movement, known for its focus on promoting local businesses and its outspoken views on undocumented immigrants, has left many foreign nationals like Abdi feeling vulnerable and victimised.
Bearing brooms and cleaning equipment, members of the organisation were on a mission to clean up and improve the look and feel of Bertha Mkhize Street. However, others held a different view of the mobilisation.
“I feel like we are being targeted because we are foreigners. I am trading legally in South Africa, and I have hired South Africans to work in my shop. Today, I have lost money because I had to close my shop,” said Abdi.
Abdi had to roll down the shutters at his store, where he sells blankets and household items, when March and March members allegedly demanded that he reveal his immigration status, despite him having the required documentation.
Police contingent at the Bertha Mkhize Street, during the March and March clean-up campaign on Tuesday.
Image: Sipho Jack
Abdi’s sentiments were echoed by one of his employees, Sphelo Vilakazi.
“I understand what the March and March movement is fighting for, but not every foreign national is doing bad things,” Vilakazi said.
“There are people who are in the country illegally, and we must deal with them, but not those who are contributing positively.”
Considering the scarcity of jobs in the country, Vilakazi’s fear of job loss was palpable.
“Even politicians only look out for their children and friends,” he said.
Two Somalian's being put behind the police van on Tuesday in Durban central.
Image: Sipho Jack
Another employee, a Pakistani national who asked for her identity not to be revealed, summed up the sense of ambivalence she felt regarding the ongoing clean-up efforts in that part of the city.
“I am happy this operation is taking place because I am always at work and have no time to rest, but I am also scared that I might lose my job because this operation could have an adverse impact on the business I work for,” she said.
March and March has been vociferous in its constant calls for a crackdown on illegal migrants. The movement strongly believes that businesses owned by South Africans would flourish once illegal foreign operators were removed.
While the movement embarked on its clean-up initiative, the operation drew a significant police presence, with many shops owned by foreign nationals opting to close temporarily.
Lindani Xuma, March and March’s deputy chairperson, said: “We are going to be embarking on a clean-up campaign for the rest of the week. We will be at it until we restore our city to what it was previously.”
In Durban, tensions escalate as the March and March movement targets foreign shop owners.
Image: Sipho Jack
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the movement’s leader, said they welcomed increased police visibility during March and March events as it would help decrease crime in the area.
“I am calling on all citizens to join us and help clean up our city,” she said.
DAILY NEWS