Residents, business owners and visitors in Sea Point are being urged to prepare for possible traffic disruptions and increased security presence as an anti-illegal immigration march is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
The march, organised by advocacy group March and March, is expected to run from 9am to 3pm and will focus on concerns surrounding undocumented foreign nationals in the area.
According to organisers, the procession will begin on Beach Road near Fort Road before proceeding along Beach Road, turning onto St John’s Road, and returning via Main Road. The march will conclude at the Mandela Glasses monument on Glengariff Road.
The event has received official approval, allowing demonstrators to gather and express their views in accordance with South Africa’s constitutional right to peaceful protest.
The planned march has generated significant discussion among residents, with opinions divided over both the issues being raised and the potential impact on the community.
The Sea Point Community Improvement District (CID) has confirmed that its operational teams will remain deployed along the route throughout the event to assist with monitoring and public safety.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to expect delays and temporary road disruptions along sections of the route. Businesses situated near the procession path have also been encouraged to assess their operations accordingly, particularly establishments with outdoor seating areas that may be affected by the gathering.
Ward councillor Nicola Jowell acknowledged that residents have raised a range of concerns regarding the march and its potential impact on the area.
“It is essential to clarify the legal position regarding gatherings and marches,” Jowell said.
She noted that a Constitutional Court ruling established that gatherings cannot be prohibited solely because a permit has not been obtained, and that the right to assemble and protest is protected by the Constitution regardless of the cause being advanced.
Jowell said she understands the concerns of residents who may be affected by disruptions associated with the event, as well as concerns relating to the messages being promoted by participants.
To address these issues, she has engaged with the City’s Safety and Security Directorate ahead of the march.
She further confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will lead operational management and command during the event, while the City of Cape Town’s safety services will provide support where necessary.
Authorities have called on all participants and members of the public to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the day.
The march comes amid ongoing national conversations around immigration, border management and the enforcement of immigration laws in South Africa, issues that continue to generate debate across communities and political platforms.