12/05/2026
NAFRET DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION & PUBLICITY
NAFCOC RETAIL CHAMBER
Office of the National Spokesperson
TO: PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA
FROM: FRANS NHLAPO
SUBJECT: NAFRET EXPRESSES ITS SUPPORT FOR RECENT MARCHES CALLING FOR URGENT ACTION ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS
DATE: 11 May 2026
The NAFCOC Retail Chamber (NAFRET) has taken note of the recent marches organised by various civil society organisations across several provinces, calling for urgent intervention regarding the immigration situation in South Africa.
NAFRET wishes to state categorically that it supports all lawful and peaceful protests aimed at addressing the longstanding challenges associated with illegal immigration into the country. Many undocumented foreign nationals have allegedly taken advantage of porous borders and inadequate enforcement by the relevant public security authorities.
We further emphasise that a significant number of foreign traders operating illegally in townships and rural communities are economic migrants who have allegedly presented themselves as asylum seekers, despite not necessarily fleeing persecution in their respective countries of origin.
Review of Asylum Seeker Permits
NAFRET calls upon the Department of Home Affairs to review asylum seeker permits issued to foreign nationals who subsequently returned to their countries of origin after obtaining such permits. Where abuse of the asylum system is identified, the Department should take the necessary legal steps in line with South African immigration laws.
The organisation further believes that individuals found to have unlawfully obtained immigration-related benefits or misrepresented their circumstances should face the appropriate legal consequences, as such conduct places unnecessary pressure on the country’s resources and administrative systems.
Reserving Tuck-shops/Spaza Shops for Local Citizens
NAFRET has consistently maintained the position that spaza shops and certain informal business opportunities should primarily be reserved for South African citizens, particularly within township and rural economies. The organisation further believes that foreign nationals wishing to conduct business in South Africa should comply fully with the applicable investment and business regulations, including minimum investment requirements where applicable under South African law.
NAFRET is concerned that weak enforcement of existing business regulations has negatively affected local entrepreneurship and economic participation. Informal businesses serve as an important entry point into the broader economy and remain a critical source of livelihood for many low-income households across the country.
Alignment of Progressive Forces
NAFRET further announces that it intends to engage with like-minded civil society organisations, including March and March, with the aim of aligning programmes and sharing ideas on how best to address ongoing challenges relating to immigration law enforcement in South Africa.
The organisation reiterates that lawful protest action, which is protected under the Constitution and forms part of the fundamental right to protest, should not automatically be interpreted as xenophobic. Rather, such actions reflect the concerns of South Africans who oppose corruption and unlawful activities while continuing to support foreign nationals who reside and conduct themselves legally and responsibly within the laws of South Africa.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr France Nhlapo
(National Spokesperson)
Mr Tshepo Matsaba (Dep Secretary General)
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 076 286 4286/083 485 7883/065 849 8614
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