Weekly protests by the March and March group in Alexandra have escalated, with demonstrators entering homes and businesses to demand identity documents from immigrants.

Despite police warnings that they lack legal authority to inspect documents, the crowd became increasingly hostile, leading to the complete withdrawal of SAPS officers.Immigrant-owned shops were forced to close, while South African-owned businesses remained open.Protesters targeted individuals presumed to be undocumented, with some taken away in police vehicles.Pensioner Maria Chauke faced pressure to end her rental agreement with an immigrant spaza shopkeeper, highlighting the economic impact on locals.Police struggled to control the crowd as protesters broke into homes, causing trauma to residents.

The protests, which began on 30 June, reflect deep-seated tensions over immigration and community integration, with some residents condemning the violence as illegal.The incident underscores broader societal challenges in Alexandra, where historical inequalities and xenophobia persist.