Chaos erupted in Durban's city centre on Thursday during a march by hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters. The protesters, reportedly from March and March and affiliated groups, marched through the city, targeting people they suspected of being immigrants. At least one person was rushed to hospital after being shot near Dr Pixley KaSeme Street at 4pm. Several vehicles were set alight and shops were looted as the situation spiralled out of control.
According to eyewitnesses, dozens of stores were vandalised, some looted, and at least one person was assaulted. An immigrant man was injured after being assaulted at his store by marchers. The group began their march at the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre before moving to a nearby scrap yard, apparently owned by an immigrant, which was set on fire. The condition of the person reportedly shot is yet to be confirmed.
The march was the third day this week that protesters gathered outside the refugee centre to harass and intimidate asylum seekers and prevent them from entering. There have been long lines of asylum seekers outside the refugee centre following an announcement last Monday that all asylum seekers would be able to apply for asylum, ending a six-year closure to new applicants. The announcement was made by Home Affairs following a Constitutional Court ruling in July this year.
The group had told GroundUp that the protest was not organised by March and March. However, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of March and March addressed the media outside of the Home Affairs and said that they were exercising their right to express dissatisfaction in their country. The group gained numbers quickly and began splitting up, with one group marching to an IFP rally and another less organised group marching through the city towards Point Road, breaking windows and looting businesses.
GroundUp reporters counted over 15 broken windows on Gillespie Street alone, one of them belonging to what appeared to be a crèche. There were instances where some immigrants tried to retaliate by throwing objects at protesters. Protesters also vandalised and looted a liquor store while metro police stood by and watched. One metro officer told GroundUp they were told to contain the group whilst waiting for SAPS Public Order Police to arrive.
Along the way, protesters threatened and harassed journalists, with GroundUp reporters being pushed, grabbed, kicked and prodded with sticks, and having cell phones grabbed when trying to film the march. An immigrant man told GroundUp that he was dragged out of his store near Point Road and was assaulted by protesters, being left bleeding after being hit over the head with a stick.
Police say they are closely monitoring the area, which remained tense on Thursday evening. KZN SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said police were not yet aware of the shooting but would issue a statement later. He said one protester was assaulted and that police would remain in the area to monitor the situation. The SAPS spokesperson also mentioned that unplanned marches create a situation like this where police were policing one march and another one started where there was violence.
Key points
- At least one person was shot and several others injured during the anti-immigrant march in Durban.
- The march was sparked by an announcement that all asylum seekers would be able to apply for asylum, ending a six-year closure to new applicants.
- Police were criticised for not being better prepared for the action, with the spokesperson saying that unplanned marches create a difficult situation for law enforcement.
