Immigrant families live in fear in this Joburg community

Immigrant families in a Johannesburg community called Bertrams live in constant fear. One Congolese resident, Moussa Dominique Malango, has been living in a shared home for 15 years but faces eviction threats from vigilante groups. These vigilantes, known as March and March, claimed the property was reserved for South African citizens only and forcibly entered Malango's home, stealing valuables.

Subsequently, March and March protesters damaged his house. Malango, a member of Group of Refugees Without Voice, applied for voluntary repatriation but was denied, citing prioritization of undocumented individuals. Another refugee, Lillian Mwavita, reported her daughter being beaten by March and March members during a protest. Her daughter had to return to work despite being traumatized.

Daniel Tchamuganda, Mwavita's son, was fired from his job after March and March members demanded proof of employment documentation. Shomari Mukandjwa, a country secretary for the Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum, stated that asylum seekers and refugees lack a formal channel to report such attacks without risking arrest.