South African Court Limits Anti-Immigration Marches in Durban

The KwaZulu-Natal High Court ruled that the March and March movement may hold anti-illegal immigration demonstrations in Durban, provided they adhere to strict conduct mandates. Judge Peter Olsen ordered that protests occur only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and prohibited participants from covering their faces, carrying weapons, or deviating from designated routes.

The ruling follows a petition by the South African Police Service and acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to block the marches entirely. Authorities cited intelligence that protesters planned to burn down the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Berea. The legal battle coincides with a surge in xenophobic violence that has killed at least five foreign nationals this year, including a recent incident where a mob beat a foreign national to death.

In response to the unrest, which included the looting of shops and the torching of 24 cars, Cyril Ramaphosa deployed over 500 soldiers to the KwaZulu-Natal province. The president condemned the violence, stating that some individuals are using public sentiment regarding migration to mask criminality. The March and March movement defended its constitutional right to protest, arguing that the government is attempting to silence the people.

The unrest occurs amid high unemployment and local elections scheduled for November 4, with populist groups accusing undocumented migrants of depleting jobs and public services.