Anti-Immigration Marches Sponsored by SA government-Malema

South African opposition leader Julius Malema has blasted the anti-immigration marches spreading across the country, calling them “clownish” and “stupid” while accusing organisers of extortion and political manipulation.

Thousands have marched in protest over illegal immigration, claiming undocumented foreign nationals are taking jobs, housing, healthcare and other public services. But Malema, speaking to Sky News Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, rejected the notion that the campaign is driven by xenophobia, insisting it is being fuelled by “charlatans” and “corrupt individuals” seeking to exploit foreign nationals.

He also alleged that the marches are being sponsored and supported by the government as a distraction from South Africa’s deeper challenges. According to him, it is unlawful for anyone to publicly assault or humiliate another person in the presence of police officers, regardless of the immigration debate.

Malema further dismissed claims that migrants are driving crime, arguing that the prison population is overwhelmingly made up of South African men, not people from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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The remarks come as South Africa faces renewed scrutiny over xenophobic violence and anti-migrant agitation, with Reuters and Human Rights Watch both reporting worsening tensions and attacks against foreign nationals in recent weeks.