More than 300 individuals gathered in central Pretoria on Tuesday to protest against the presence of undocumented immigrants in South Africa and the high rate of unemployment. The demonstration, spearheaded by the organization March and March, also saw participation from ActionSA and anti-immigrant vigilante group Operation Dudula. The procession began on Lilian Ngoyi Street, with approximately 50 men and women brandishing knobkerries and shields.

Tensions escalated considerably when the marchers reached Robert Sobukwe Street in Sunnyside, an area known for its significant immigrant population. In response to the unfolding events, most businesses in the vicinity promptly shut their doors. Dozens of police officers were required to intervene and prevent protesters who were threatening to force entry into various shops. Throughout the march, protesters directed derogatory insults, such as "amakwerekwere," towards individuals observing from balconies and windows, urging them to return to "their" countries.

Prior to the march, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the founder of March and March, articulated her organization's perspective, asserting that criminals from other countries frequently seek refuge in South Africa. "They are not victims," Ngobese-Zuma stated, elaborating on her view that undocumented individuals are involved in various illicit activities. She claimed, "If you walk down the roads, you will find that they take buildings. There are drugs. There is prostitution. There are cartels. There are mafias. So, everything in this country is a fertile ground for criminals to thrive." She emphasized the need for police to diligently verify documentation and contested allegations of xenophobia against her group, saying, "We are under attack from across Africa ... The only thing that they do is to label us as xenophobic. There is nothing xenophobic about wanting law and order in your country."

A memorandum outlining the organization's demands was read aloud at the Union Buildings by Sanele Nkambule, the treasurer of March and March. Nkambule highlighted that "Many spaza shops and informal businesses in the townships are owned or run by foreign nationals without proper trading rights." He further argued that these immigrant-owned shops were not being taxed, thereby imposing "an unfair burden on citizens who pay taxes." The organization's key demands included that all spaza shops must be operated by South African citizens, a comprehensive audit of all immigrants, and a review of all study visas. Furthermore, they urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the army in areas characterized by high immigrant populations, specifically mentioning Sunnyside and Hillbrow.

The memorandum was officially accepted by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli. In her response, Mhlauli acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "The problem of undocumented foreign nationals in our country is a legitimate concern." She also indicated that governmental efforts are underway to upgrade and secure ports of entry and to undertake a significant overhaul of existing immigration laws.