Undocumented migrants came into sharp focus as the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) and other sectors of society marched to the Union Buildings to deliver their memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa in Tshwane.

The march, which began at Burgers Park in Pretoria central, sought to address growing cases of gender-based violence and femicide in the country in conjunction with the international 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Although facilitated by the ANCWL and the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa (PWMSA), various civil societies and allies were present at the event.

The demands raised deal with amongst other things, stricter, no bail measures for the courts, mandatory training for the police and judicial officials to handle GBV cases sensitively, and effectively and increased funding for shelters and counselling centres.

The ANC Women’s League embarked on a 4-km march through Pretoria CBD to cite their woes and concerns to the president of the republic.

Over the last 5 months, it has been reported that over 2,500 women and children have been killed in the country.

ANCWL Secretary-General Nokuthula Nqaba says amongst their anxieties, undocumented migrants are a key concern.

“Foreign nationals that are not here to contribute anything to the GDP of this country, to the economy, be it the rural or the township economy, they must leave our country peacefully. We have been nice to them for too long and in return our kids are being raped, people are being killed by people that we can’t trace because they are not documented. We can’t go to their country and do the same. They come here, they own a spaza shop and they are not documented,” says Nqala.

The march was under the theme “United for Justice” and saw the attendance of various civil societies as well as other political parties.

A common point raised was the growing child fatality rate due to the selling of contaminated foods.

Over the last few months, there have been various case of child fatality caused by the consumption of contaminated food sold by majority foreign owned spaza shops.

ActionSA MP Dereleen James says, “When those perpetrators hit our community and they sell fake stuff to our children that kills them, they don’t ask our children what party you belong to. They attack irrespective of party lines. So, today I want to say, let us take on this fight, irrespective of the T-shirt we are wearing here today. It is time for us to unite as women.”

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula was there to show support and applauded the women’s league’s efforts in mobilising and pushing GVB issues.

“The women’s league have led from the front and mobilizing women, mobilizing NGO that do a fantastic job in terms of the fight against gender-based violence. You need to mobilize, you need to conscientize. We are all activists of a struggle against gender-based violence,” he explains.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was unable to attend but sent forth Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga in his place.

The organisation and facilitators are confident that government will address their concerns and expect a response within the next month.