A peaceful anti-illegal immigration march in Pietermaritzburg ended in tense scenes on Tuesday afternoon after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a breakaway group that allegedly attempted to loot a shop in the city centre.
The unrest erupted shortly after the organised demonstration had concluded.
While the main march ended without major incident, police said approximately 100 people refused to disperse and remained in the central business district (CBD).
According to officers on the scene, the group later moved along Masekwana Street, where some individuals allegedly attempted to loot a shop. Police intervened before any businesses were breached, deploying tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Authorities confirmed that no shops were looted during the incident.
Earlier in the day, the march had concluded near a hostel where police said one of the protest organisers resides. Although officers began scaling down their presence after the demonstration ended, a section of the crowd remained behind instead of leaving the area.
The breakaway group then moved through the CBD, with some gathering outside a building they claimed was occupied by foreign nationals. Others allegedly attempted to force their way into another nearby building, prompting police to call for additional reinforcements.
Several police vehicles, including a Nyala armoured vehicle, were deployed to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
By late afternoon, calm had largely been restored. A strong police presence remained at the intersection of Masekwana Street and Pietermaritzburg Street, where officers continued monitoring the area as commuters travelled through the city during the evening rush.
Police said they would remain deployed until they were satisfied there was no further threat of unrest or the crowd regrouping.
Businesses along Masekwana Street remained closed following the incident, while officers continued patrolling the CBD.
Despite the late-afternoon flare-up, police said they successfully prevented any looting or significant damage, bringing the situation under control as normality gradually returned to the city centre.