04/09/2026
Tensions Rise as March and March Holds Weekly Anti-Immigration Protest in Durban
By Ongeziwe Radebe
Tensions escalated in Durban on Thursday as the March and March movement continued with its weekly anti-illegal immigration demonstrations, with police firing rubber bullets and using pepper spray to separate protesters from migrants.
The demonstration took place along Che Guevara Street in Durban, near the Department of Home Affairs offices, where more than 100 migrants have been staying in a makeshift camp after reportedly fleeing their homes amid fears surrounding earlier anti-immigration protests.
March and March, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has been calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa and for government to strengthen immigration enforcement. Ngobese-Zuma previously announced that the movement would take to the streets every Thursday until the government takes its demands seriously.
Thursday's demonstration became tense when protesters moved close to the migrant camp. Police and a large contingent of Public Order Police were deployed to prevent the two groups from confronting each other. According to reports, police used rubber bullets and pepper spray as tensions intensified.
The weekly protests follow the large-scale demonstrations organised by March and March on 30 June. In Durban, thousands of protesters marched through the CBD before ending their demonstration at the Point Police Station. The movement has since maintained pressure on government over undocumented immigration, border management and access to public services.
The movement has also called for stricter visa controls, a review of asylum policies and action against employers who employ undocumented workers. It has further demanded greater accountability from law-enforcement officials involved in immigration enforcement.
However, the continued demonstrations have raised concerns about the safety of migrants and the possibility of xenophobic violence. Previous anti-immigration protests in Durban have resulted in heightened tensions between protesters and foreign nationals, while migrant communities have reported fear and displacement.
As the Thursday demonstrations continue, attention remains on whether government will respond to the movement's demands and how authorities will manage tensions between protesters and migrant communities in Durban.
