March and March: Bertrams Immigrant Threats Escalate Amid New Protests

• The group March and March has announced new protests for September 30 in Bertrams, Johannesburg, escalating fears among foreign nationals.
• Congolese permanent resident Moussa Dominique Malango faced threats, a home invasion, and property damage from vigilantes and March and March protesters in June.
• Lillian Mwavita's daughter was physically assaulted by March and March members in July, leading to the family's eviction due to lost income and rent arrears.
• Mwavita's son, Daniel Tchamuganda, was fired from his job after March and March members demanded R10,000 from his employer for his employment.
• There are no safe official channels for refugees and asylum seekers to report attacks without risking arrest for documentation issues, despite existing court rulings.

The escalating threats from groups like March and March have plunged foreign nationals in Bertrams into a state of profound fear and uncertainty, disrupting their lives and livelihoods.

Residents of Bertrams, Johannesburg, are bracing for renewed protests announced by the group March and March for September 30, intensifying fears among the area's foreign national population. This follows a series of aggressive actions by the group, including a prior "deadline" of June 30 for undocumented immigrants to vacate South Africa. Moussa Dominique Malango, a Congolese national with permanent residency who has lived in a shared Bertrams home for 15 years, experienced these threats firsthand in late June when men approached him, demanding he leave his residence by the self-imposed deadline. He was explicitly told that larger homes in Bertrams were designated solely for South African citizens, accompanied by threats of forceful property takeover.

The situation escalated dramatically for Malango. On June 29, while he was away, vigilantes broke into his rental home, stealing cellphones, televisions, and cash, along with valuables belonging to two of his Ghanaian housemates. The following day, June 30, March and March protesters marched through the community, throwing stones at his house and causing damage. Malango, who is a founding member of the Group of Refugees Without Voice, an organization that has documented numerous complaints from targeted refugees and asylum seekers across Johannesburg, now lives in constant fear, noting that his housemates have since departed the property.

The impact of these March and March protests and associated immigrant xenophobia extends beyond property damage and threats, directly affecting the safety and livelihoods of foreign nationals. Lillian Mwavita, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, recounted how her daughter was physically assaulted by March and March members during a protest on July 29. The attackers entered the clothing shop where her daughter worked, targeting immigrant employees. Mwavita arrived to find her daughter bleeding from her forehead. Despite the trauma, her daughter returned to work within days due to the family's urgent financial needs.

This economic vulnerability has been further exploited. Daniel Tchamuganda, Mwavita's son, reported that on July 15, March and March members confronted him at his workplace in Bedford Centre, demanding to see his documents. Subsequently, they demanded R10,000 from his employer, alleging the employment of workers without proper documentation. This pressure led directly to Tchamuganda's dismissal. The family's struggles have deepened, with Mwavita stating they are now facing eviction from their Bertrams flat because they have fallen behind on rent. Tchamuganda, who grew up in South Africa and considers it his only home, laments that life has become increasingly difficult since the March and March protests began.

The escalating risks of vigilante attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa are compounded by a critical lack of official support mechanisms. Shomari Mukandjwa, the country secretary for the Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum, highlights that no formal, secure channel exists for asylum seekers and refugees to report such attacks without the inherent risk of being arrested themselves due to issues with their documentation. This absence of safe reporting mechanisms leaves vulnerable individuals with little recourse.

Mukandjwa further points out that despite existing court rulings condemning the abuse of refugee laws, the government has not adequately implemented safeguards to protect these communities. The personal experiences underscore this systemic failure; Moussa Dominique Malango, for instance, attempted to apply for voluntary repatriation last month but was unsuccessful, as the embassy reportedly prioritized individuals without proper documentation. He has publicly called for greater government intervention, stating that the March and March protests have irrevocably disrupted lives and that authorities must do more to curb vigilante actions. The renewed announcement of protests for September 30 has only amplified the prevailing fears and tensions among foreign nationals in the country.

The cumulative effect of these incidents has created a pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for immigrant families in Bertrams and other parts of Johannesburg. The threats from groups like March and March, coupled with the documented instances of violence, property damage, and economic coercion, paint a grim picture for those seeking refuge or a new life in South Africa. Individuals with legal residency, like Malango, are targeted just as severely as those perceived to be undocumented, demonstrating a broad-based xenophobic sentiment that disregards legal status.

For many, including Daniel Tchamuganda, South Africa represents their only home, a place where they have grown up and established lives. However, the ongoing March and March protests and the government's perceived inaction in implementing robust protections have fundamentally altered their sense of security and belonging. The daily fear and disruption to livelihoods underscore the urgent need for effective measures to uphold refugee rights in South Africa and protect all foreign nationals from vigilante violence.

Lawyers advising foreign nationals, refugees, and asylum seekers in South Africa must be acutely aware of the escalating risks of vigilante actions by groups like March and March, particularly in areas like Bertrams. This necessitates advising clients on safety protocols, challenging unlawful demands for documentation, and potentially pursuing remedies for wrongful dismissal or state inaction, given the reported lack of safe reporting channels and government safeguards despite existing court rulings.

Source: Original reporting via GroundUp