The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has strongly condemned recent calls for a "national shutdown", labelling it "reckless" and warning of the risk of it descending into anarchy and xenophobic violence.

Calls for a shutdown follow a June 30 deadline issued by the anti-illegal immigration group March & March, which is demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa.

The AKF urged government to fast-track its immigration and employment plans to maintain public confidence, and wants the immediate rollout of promised workplace inspectors to crack down on unscrupulous employers, and the execution of labour laws to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable workers.

The foundation urged citizens to reject the shutdown and use constructive dialogue to deal with the issue.

The foundation noted a "cautious optimism" following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent address on border security and migration.

Major federations such as COSATU, FEDUSA, and SAFTU welcome the enforcement of immigration laws, and organised business, faith-based organisations, and political parties support the human-rights-based approach.

The AKF noted that previous State inaction directly fuelled community frustrations and vigilantism.

The AKF said law enforcement must act firmly against lawlessness, calling on the South African Police Service and Border Management Authority to proactively stop vigilantism.

“Security forces must prevent any economic or transport blockades. The State must relentlessly pursue internal corruption within the immigration system and political parties must resist using migration for populist electioneering and xenophobic rhetoric,” it said.

The foundation pledged to closely monitor the government's migration plan to ensure order is restored while strictly respecting human dignity.

Meanwhile, more than 2 400 foreign nationals have been processed and repatriated from South Africa. Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have initiated government-funded emergency evacuations and voluntary repatriation flights.

The Home Affairs Department confirmed the processing of 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the country illegally.

The first repatriation flight left on Thursday morning, carrying 268 passengers back to Nigeria. The remaining individuals from the processed group are scheduled to leave on a second flight on Monday.