The eThekwini Municipality has confirmed that the March and March organisation will be permitted to proceed with its planned anti-illegal immigration demonstration on 30 June after being allocated an alternative route.
The announcement follows claims by March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma that the City had attempted to block the protest. On Thursday, Ngobese-Zuma alleged that City Manager Musa Mbhele had refused permission for the march, citing concerns that the gathering posed a threat to national security.
However, the Municipality has rejected those claims, stating that the march has not been prohibited but that organisers were required to use an alternative route due to safety and security considerations.
Municipal officials said they met with organisers on Thursday to discuss the demonstration, including security arrangements and revised starting and finishing points.
According to the City, the organisers initially rejected the proposed alternative route but later accepted a revised plan.
The Municipality said the demonstration could not be allowed to proceed along the originally requested route because of significant public safety and security risks.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have intensified preparations ahead of the planned nationwide demonstrations on 30 June.
The Durban Metro Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other security agencies will be deployed across the eThekwini Metro, including townships, business districts and major transport routes, to maintain public order.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has assured the public that police will not interfere with lawful and peaceful demonstrations.
However, he warned that any acts of violence, looting, intimidation or criminal activity would be dealt with swiftly.
The warning follows a high-level meeting held in Durban on Thursday evening between SAPS leadership and representatives of several organisations planning to participate in Tuesday's demonstrations.
Leaders from Insizwa Nobunsizwa, the Economic and Cultural Envoy and the Black Business Federation reportedly assured police that their protests would remain peaceful and that participants would not engage in violence, looting or intimidation.
Mkhwanazi reiterated that while police have a constitutional duty to protect the right to peaceful protest, they are equally obligated to uphold public safety and enforce the law.
He warned that anyone found committing criminal offences during the demonstrations would be arrested and prosecuted.