Germiston protesters hand SAPS anti-illegal immigration memorandum

By Johnathan Paoli

The beating of sticks, the blowing of whistles and the chorus of struggle songs echoed through Germiston on Tuesday as hundreds of demonstrators descended on the CBD, calling for tougher action against illegal immigration while insisting their campaign be conducted within the confines of the law.

The protest, organised under the banner of the March and March movement together with the Ilizwe Nathi Political Party, brought large sections of the Germiston CBD to a standstill as participants moved through the city before handing a memorandum of demands to municipal authorities and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Many businesses, including tuck shops, salons and informal traders, remained closed for the day, while commuter activity around the Germiston Taxi Rank and Golden Walk Mall was significantly reduced, with police maintaining a visible presence throughout the march.

Under a cloudless winter sky, protesters carrying sticks and placards gathered from