Ward 120 residents march against undocumented foreign nationals, demand police action
Their primary grievance centred on the growing number of undocumented foreign nationals in Hospital Hills, which emerged as the focal point of the protest.
Residents of ward 120 staged a peaceful march to the Lenasia South SAPS on June 30, calling for intensified police operations in Hospital Hills and stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
The demonstration, part of a nationwide anti-illegal immigration campaign, drew community members from Hospital Hills, the 525 Informal Settlement, Phumlamqashi Informal Settlement, Lenasia South, and nearby areas.
Their primary grievance centred on the growing number of undocumented foreign nationals in Hospital Hills, which emerged as the focal point of the protest.
A memorandum of demands, handed to Lenasia South station commander, Colonel Xaba, called for increased police visibility and intensified operations targeting undocumented individuals, particularly in Hospital Hills.
Accepting the memorandum, Col Xaba acknowledged the community’s concerns and assured residents that enforcement efforts would continue.
“We can’t arrest everyone all at once, but we are going to carry on with our operations and intensify them. With the assistance of the community of Hospital Hills, let us work together so that we can arrest those people who are undocumented,” she said.
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Residents also demanded action against businesses allegedly operating illegally or in contravention of trading laws. Col Xaba responded that such enforcement requires coordination among multiple government departments, but confirmed that joint operations would be conducted in ward 120.
Another issue raised in the memorandum concerned employment practices at businesses owned by foreign nationals. Residents argued that recruitment must comply with South African labour laws and called for stricter oversight where violations are found.
Col Xaba noted that labour-related matters fall under the Department of Employment and Labour, but said SAPS would collaborate with the department during joint compliance operations.
“We are promising the community that we will be at Hospital Hills with your assistance,” she concluded.
Community activist, Tendani Muofhe, described the march as entirely peaceful, with no reports of vandalism or violence.
“The march is peaceful, and no vandalism has occurred,” Muofhe said.
The protest concluded with residents expressing hope that the police’s commitments would lead to sustained law enforcement in Hospital Hills, where they say concerns over undocumented foreign nationals and related criminal activity require urgent attention. While police reaffirmed their intent to continue operations, they also urged residents to partner with authorities by reporting crime and allowing law enforcement to carry out immigration-related duties within the bounds of the law.
