March and March Movement demands action on jobs, immigration and e-hailing regulation

Members of the March and March Movement handover a memorandum to an Berea SAPS Lieutenant Colonel N.S Mtshali (black jacket) in Durban on Tuesday.

The March and March Movement believes that South Africa’s economic and immigration challenges require practical action, lawful enforcement, and accountable leadership. 

This is according to the March and March Movement’s 28-page memorandum handed to Berea SAPS in Durban on Tuesday. The memorandum was addressed to the Minister of Transport, Employment and Police, and the relevant authorities responsible for immigration enforcement, including the Department of Home Affairs.

March and March demanded fair employment opportunities for South Africans, regulation of e-hailing and delivery industries, support for South African-owned small businesses, police accountability, and effective immigration enforcement.

The movement’s members walked from outside the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road to the Berea SAPS, despite the heavy downpour of rain on Tuesday.

There was also a convoy of motorbikes that followed the march. 

The memorandum was handed to an official from Berea SAPS. The memo called for business practices, support for small enterprises, credible immigration administration, and policing that serves the public without corruption or intimidation. 

“The message is clear: laws must be enforced, corruption must be investigated, South African livelihoods must be protected, and all persons and businesses must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” the memorandum stated. 

March and March demanded transparent recruitment and onboarding practices by the relevant companies and practical measures to improve South African citizens' access to employment, entrepreneurship support, and lawful economic opportunities. 

The movement called for an impartial investigation into credible allegations of bribery, corruption or harassment involving members of the SAPS Berea. 

“Improved policing, crime prevention and public accountability in Berea and surrounding communities. Improved administration of the asylum system in accordance with the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 and other applicable law,” was another list of demands. 

The movement called for a coordinated response from the relevant national and provincial authorities. 

“Unemployment and economic hardship cannot be addressed through slogans alone. They require effective labour inspections, transparent  March and March calls upon the Department of Transport to clarify the regulatory framework governing e-hailing, delivery bike operations, and related transport services,” the movement stated. 

Another demand was for an investigation into credible complaints of unlawful employment and regulatory non-compliance in the e-hailing and delivery bike industries. 

“Our position is that immigration enforcement must be effective, credible, and consistent with constitutional and application legislation,” the movement stated.  

March and March also demanded that Home Affairs improve verification of immigration documents and work authorisation, investigate and act against individuals who unlawfully enter, remain in, or work in SA, and improve the efficiency and integrity of immigration and asylum administration, including measures to identify fraudulent applications and documentation. 

March and March Movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma addresses supporters and members outside the Berea SAPS in Durban on Tuesday.

March and March called for appropriate action against employers and other persons who facilitate or benefit from unlawful employment arrangements where the evidence establishes a contravention. 

“Police resources must be directed towards crime prevention, the investigation of criminal offences, public safety and the protection of all persons in the community. Meetings between police officials and community members, including foreign nationals, be conducted for legitimate policing or community-safety purposes, transparently and in accordance with applicable procedures,” the memorandum stated. 

March and March demanded that police officers cease lawful engagement with foreign nationals. They demanded that all engagements be directed toward legitimate policing objectives and that no individual or group receive unlawful preferential treatment.