MONSTERLUS
Residents of Monsterlus and surrounding villages staged a phased anti-illegal immigration demonstration on Tuesday 30 June 2026, targeting areas they say are infested by undocumented immigrants.
The protest action began with residents assembling at Moratiwa Crossing Shopping Centre before moving through several locations. Demonstrators, escorted by the police, were later seen demonstrating in Monsterlus Unit B. From there, the group proceeded to the Zimbabwe Section in Matsisi, Jerusalem and Sepaku Villages.
About 72 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the demonstration across the targeted areas.
Protest leader, Simon Kgagara, said the demonstration was a direct response to what residents describe as an uncontrolled influx of undocumented foreign nationals in the area.
“We are against illegal immigration and we are saying enough is enough. The government must act immediately to enforce our immigration laws and protect our communities. These areas cannot continue to be overrun. We are targeting locations where undocumented immigrants are operating businesses and residing without documents. Law enforcement must do its work,” Kgagara told the publication.
According to Kgagara, the action is not over. He said similar protests are expected in nearby villages where some undocumented foreign nationals are believed to have relocated before the anti-undocumented immigration protests in Monsterlus.
“We are against illegal immigration. Government must act. Our communities are under pressure on jobs, housing, and services. The law must be applied equally to everyone. We are not targeting people based on where they come from. We are targeting areas and businesses where undocumented immigrants are believed to be operating or living. That is the issue,” he said.
Many who joined said the march was about documentation and service delivery pressure. Some residents told the paper that they wanted Home Affairs to increase inspections and processing.
The Tuesday 30 June protest follows a peaceful march to the Department of Home Affairs in Groblersdal on Friday 19 June 2026. Residents from Monsterlus and surrounding villages took part in that march to demand the department to act on what they called an uncontrolled influx of undocumented foreign nationals in the area.
The police said the 30 June demonstration in Monsterlus was monitored throughout and concluded without incidents.