Former president and uMkhonto weSizwe Party leader Jacob Zuma met with the leadership of anti-immigration organisation March and March on Tuesday.
The meeting was confirmed in a statement issued by the MK Party, which said the discussion covered illegal immigration, enforcement of South Africa’s laws and issues affecting South African citizens.
The party said Zuma acknowledged and recognised the work undertaken by March and March in raising concerns about undocumented immigration and the enforcement of immigration laws.
March and March, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, also acknowledged the work and contribution of the MK Party in addressing issues affecting South Africans.
MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the meeting reflected the importance of dialogue and cooperation between political and community organisations on matters of national interest.
The engagement took place amid heightened public debate about undocumented immigration, pressure on public services, unemployment, border control and access to economic opportunities.
MK Party restates immigration position
The MK Party said undocumented foreign nationals who do not have lawful immigration status in South Africa must either regularise their stay or return to their countries of origin through lawful processes.
“The MK Party reiterates its position that illegal and undocumented foreign nationals who do not have lawful immigration status in South Africa must regularise their stay or return to their countries of origin through lawful processes,” Mahlangu said.
The party said the government needed to take decisive and responsible action on unemployment, border security, pressure on public services and the protection of local economic opportunities.
It did not, however, present immigration enforcement as a justification for attacks on foreign nationals or other unlawful conduct.
“The MK Party emphasises that enforcing immigration laws must never become an excuse for xenophobia, discrimination or violence. The dignity and human rights of every individual must be respected,” Mahlangu said.
The statement followed a meeting with a movement that has made the deportation of undocumented immigrants, stricter border controls and the prioritisation of South African citizens in employment central parts of its campaign.
March and March has staged protests in major cities and has attracted both support and criticism. Critics have raised concerns about xenophobia, while the organisation has maintained that it is advocating for the rule of law and the protection of citizens.
Reports about some of the protests have included allegations of violence, intimidation, looting, property damage and attacks involving foreign nationals. March and March has distanced itself from violence and intimidation linked to its demonstrations.
Dialogue follows court restrictions
The meeting also came shortly after the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban granted an interim order restricting March and March demonstrations.
The order followed an urgent application brought by the police after the authorities raised concerns about violence, intimidation and looting associated with protests in Durban.
Judge Peter Olsen ordered that demonstrations take place between 9am and 4pm. The period between 3pm and 4pm was set aside for participants to disperse, while night gatherings were prohibited.
The order also restricted the carrying of weapons and the wearing of masks or other items that obscure marchers’ faces and prevent identification.
Marchers were further prohibited from carrying imitation firearms, airguns or other weapons. They were also barred from wearing clothing resembling the uniforms of security forces, including police or South African National Defence Force uniforms.
The interim order prohibited the organisation’s leaders and members from looting, destroying property, setting fires to homes, assaulting, threatening or harassing residents and business owners.
It also prohibited conduct intended to force people to close businesses, stop trading, leave homes or businesses, stop making deliveries or abandon the lawful use of property.
The order specifically barred attacks on the Home Affairs precinct on Che Guevara Road, where March and March supporters had been stationed for several weeks.
The court also restricted marches in election zones near voting stations where demonstrations could obstruct access during the election period.
When a march is permitted, the organisation must appoint clearly identifiable marshals. The marshals must help secure the peaceful conduct of the march, inform participants of the court order and ensure compliance with the notified route.
Interim order is not final finding
The order is interim and does not amount to a final finding that March and March or its leaders committed the alleged conduct.
During the court proceedings, advocate Sandile Kuboni, representing the respondents, argued that the movement and its leadership had been portrayed as violent without sufficient evidence.
“The impression created is that the respondents have broken the law and are violent. If the applicants were concerned about the elections they should have said so and said they want the protection of the court,” Kuboni argued, according to court reporting.
He said March and March had been exercising the constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
Kuboni also argued that the movement’s leaders were not responsible for the violence alleged by the police and that the main link relied on by the applicants was that some leaders had addressed people at the Che Guevara Road site.
The court’s restrictions will remain in place pending further proceedings. The parties are expected to return to court in January 2027, when the respondents will be required to show cause why a final order should not be granted.
The respondents are to file answering affidavits, while the applicants will file replying papers before the return date.
Protests and immigration concerns
March and March has emerged as one of South Africa’s most visible anti-illegal-immigration movements. Its campaigns have focused on the deportation of undocumented immigrants, stricter border control and the prioritisation of South African citizens in the labour market.
The organisation has also protested against what it describes as the failure of government to enforce immigration laws and protect local communities from pressure on jobs and public services.
The movement’s protests have taken place against the background of ongoing public concern about immigration status, asylum applications, unemployment, crime and access to services.
Its critics have warned that broad claims about foreign nationals can contribute to xenophobia and discrimination. Reports of clashes and attacks during some protests have increased pressure on police and the courts to protect residents, businesses and foreign nationals.
The MK Party’s statement attempted to draw a distinction between enforcement of immigration law and unlawful attacks on individuals.
The party said people without lawful immigration status should use legal processes to regularise their stay or return to their countries of origin. At the same time, it said those processes must not be used to justify violence or the denial of human rights.
Mahlangu said the MK Party and March and March had recognised each other’s work in raising concerns affecting South Africans. The party described the meeting as an engagement between political and community organisations rather than an announcement of a formal coalition or electoral agreement.
The statement did not disclose whether Zuma and March and March leaders had agreed to a joint campaign, shared protest programme or specific policy proposal.
It also did not indicate whether the parties discussed the interim court order in detail or whether March and March would challenge any part of the restrictions.
No endorsement of unlawful conduct
The MK Party’s position was announced while the court order prohibited violent conduct, night gatherings, the carrying of weapons and the obstruction of businesses, roads and voting operations.
The party did not endorse attacks, looting, arson or intimidation. Instead, it stated that immigration laws should be enforced through lawful government processes and that the dignity and human rights of every individual must be respected.
The meeting therefore placed the party’s immigration position alongside an explicit rejection of xenophobia, discrimination and violence.
For March and March, the court order means that future demonstrations must be organised within the prescribed hours and under the conditions set by Judge Olsen. Participants may not cover their faces, carry weapons or obstruct residents and businesses through unlawful conduct.
The court has not made a final determination on the allegations advanced by the police. The movement’s leaders will have an opportunity to file their papers and oppose the application before the matter returns to court.
The meeting between Zuma and March and March comes during a politically sensitive period, with South Africa’s local government elections taking place this week. Immigration and service-delivery issues have featured prominently in public debate and political campaigning.
The MK Party has positioned itself as a political organisation focused on matters affecting South Africans, including unemployment, border security and economic opportunities. March and March has pursued similar issues through protests and public mobilisation.
The two organisations’ meeting signals an effort to engage around those concerns while the MK Party publicly maintains that any enforcement must comply with the law and respect human rights.
Further details about the meeting, including whether the parties agreed to future cooperation, have not been released.
For now, the MK Party’s stated position is that undocumented foreign nationals must regularise their status or return through lawful procedures, while protests and immigration campaigns must not become a platform for xenophobia, discrimination or violence.
cial voting is available to registered voters who cannot reach voting stations because of physical infirmity or disability, as well as voters who will be unable to vote at their registered stations on election day.
Of the approved special voters, 678 525 were scheduled to receive home visits, while 1 976 542 were approved to cast special ballots at their registered voting stations.
KwaZulu-Natal had 348 971 approved special voters, including 143 714 voters approved for home visits.
The IEC said special voting would take place on 2 and 3 November, with voting stations open from 8am to 5pm for approved station-based special voters.
The commission reminded voters that they could vote only at the station where they were registered and would need to present an accepted South African identity document.
The local government election takes place on Wednesday, 4 November. The election period has brought increased activity by political parties, candidates and campaign organisers across the country.
The IEC has deployed electoral officials to administer home visits and voting-station special voting. It has also urged political parties and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of the process and avoid conduct that could intimidate voters or officials.
Investigation awaited
The details surrounding Shazi’s killing remain limited. The party said it received the first report shortly after 9pm on Monday, while he was participating in a virtual meeting from his homestead.
It is not known whether anyone else was present at the property, whether there were witnesses to the shooting or whether the attacker or attackers fled from the scene.
The party has not confirmed whether any items were taken from the property or whether Shazi had received threats before his death.
Mlangana said the party would communicate verified information once it became available.
The call for restraint reflects the sensitivity of the case and the broader history of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal. The party said it did not want unverified claims to shape public understanding of the killing before police had completed their investigation.
The MK Party’s provincial leadership has sent condolences to Shazi’s family and supporters. It said the organiser had been involved in the party’s regional work and election preparations.
The party also called for the authorities to ensure that the person or people responsible were identified and prosecuted.
There was no immediate confirmation of an arrest or a suspect in custody.
The killing has added to concerns about safety during the election period, although the party has not linked the shooting to the elections or identified a political motive.
The MK Party has urged its members to remain calm while the investigation proceeds.
Elections continue
Despite the killing, special voting continued on Tuesday, with approved voters casting ballots at their homes or registered voting stations.
The IEC said special votes would be secured and counted together with ballots cast on the main voting day. It also said the process would be monitored by party agents, representatives of independent candidates and accredited observers.
KwaZulu-Natal is among the provinces with the highest number of approved special voters. The province recorded 348 971 approved special votes, including home visits for voters unable to travel to voting stations.
The IEC said security agencies were working with the commission to support a safe voting environment. It urged all participants to avoid intimidation, obstruction or interference with voting operations.
Shazi’s death was reported as the campaign and special-voting process entered its final stage.
The party’s immediate focus is on supporting his family, assisting investigators and ensuring that members do not spread unverified information.
Mlangana said further details would be shared when the party had information that could be confirmed.
For now, the motive, the identity of the attacker and the circumstances leading to the shooting remain unknown.
The police investigation is expected to establish what happened at Shazi’s homestead, whether anyone witnessed the killing and whether the attack was linked to his political work.
The MK Party has asked the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Killings Task Team to urgently investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice.