Many of the protesters were migrant workers who have been separated from their loved ones.
"Please, please give your attention to reunite with our families. I'm talking about all of the mothers who've lost their children," said Iresha Wijetunga, who last held her two children 450 days ago.
Daniel Bredenkamp last saw his family 505 days ago.
"My 4-year-old daughter told her brother that she believed that daddy is dead - it's not easy for a father to hear that," he said at the protest.
The Immigration Minister did come out to meet them. But in his speech, he offered no hope.