Durban – Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Durban on Wednesday, calling for urgent government intervention to reserve township economic activity for South African citizens.
The march, organised by the civic movement March and March, drew support from several political parties, including ActionSA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), as well as various civil society groups.
Protesters marched from King Dinuzulu Park through the city centre, passing Durban City Hall before assembling at Hoy Park, where a memorandum was handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and government representatives.
The memorandum calls for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and demands legislative changes to prevent undocumented foreign nationals from operating businesses in township economies. It further urges authorities to conduct a comprehensive audit of foreign nationals residing in the country.
Tensions flared during the march when a group of protesters pursued a man suspected of being a foreign national. Police intervened and escorted the individual to safety. In the ensuing confrontation, some protesters threw stones and other objects at officers.
Police responded by deploying stun grenades to disperse the crowd as it began moving towards the provincial headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC).
Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the demonstration aimed to prioritise the interests of South African citizens and hold government accountable.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba linked illegal immigration to rising youth unemployment, arguing that economic pressures were being exacerbated by unregulated activity.
The memorandum, read by Nhlanhla Mqadi, raised concerns that many township businesses, including spaza shops, are operated by foreign nationals without proper documentation or trading permits. It claimed this results in significant untaxed revenue and creates an uneven playing field for local entrepreneurs.
An attempt by a representative aligned to the ANC to address the crowd was met with resistance from demonstrators.
No serious injuries were reported, and authorities continue to monitor the situation.