South Africa: Immigrant Traders See Their Livelihoods Destroyed By March and March

What the report says

Immigrant traders at the Golden Arrow bus terminus in Bellville, South Africa, have largely stayed away after anti-immigrant protests and threats linked to the March and March campaign, according to GroundUp’s report distributed by AllAfrica. The once busy market was described as nearly empty, with many stalls shut and traders saying they could no longer work safely at the site.

Several traders told GroundUp they have valid documents, refugee status or trading permits, but were still chased away or blocked from setting up elsewhere. The report quotes traders from Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia who said the disruption has made it difficult to pay rent, buy food and support their children. One local association leader said he began helping affected traders in early July, after the protests intensified.

The article says a meeting on 13 July, confirmed by the City, agreed that traders with valid permits should be allowed to continue operating. However, traders later received a warning about a protest planned for 14 July, and many have not returned since a 30 June deadline demanded that “illegal immigrants” leave South Africa. A City spokesperson said foreign nationals whose status has been verified by Home Affairs may trade with a valid permit, and that intimidation or threats should be reported to police. The situation highlights the tension between legal trading rights and anti-immigrant pressure in a major transport hub.