NEGOTIATIONS are underway after the City refused permission for civic movements, including March and March, to stage a mass protest in eThekwini on June 30.

In a social media post on Wednesday evening, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma informed supporters that: “After sitting in our section 4 meeting!! The city of EThekwini has refused us the right to protest on the 30th of June, citing security threats!” (sic)

The much-publicised anti-illegal immigration march has created panic throughout eThekwini and the rest of the country. It has been directly linked to the displacement of foreign nationals throughout the province, many of whom have fled their homes and sought safety and shelter at the Old Drive-In Site.

Also Read: June 30 protests: Musgrave, Essenwood on high alert

In a statement issued by Ngobese Zuma, she said organisers were verbally informed during a meeting on Wednesday with the Durban Metro Police and the SAPS that eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele had denied March and March permission to hold the mass protest.

“On the basis that our intended gathering and protest was a ‘national security threat’, an assertion that was not supported by any documentary evidence,” said Ngobese Zuma.

She said that since applying to march on June 15, organisers had complied with the City’s requests and proposed adjustments.

“Our proposed routes were discussed and adjusted as suggested by the authorities,” said Ngobese Zuma. “We accepted and accommodated these rerouting proposals in good faith, demonstrating full co-operation and compliance with the consultation process.”

Also Read: Malawian nationals: Numbers outside transit camp escalate

Demanding a written explanation for the denial from the City Manager by the end of Thursday (June 25), Ngobese Zuma said:

“In the absence of a written prohibition founded upon the legislative framework, our position is that the gathering remains scheduled to proceed on the 30th of June.”

This was echoed by Insizwa Nobunsizwa Development Foundation leader and activist Nkosiikhona Phakel’umthakathi Ndabandaba, who said the march would continue regardless.

He said: “According to the law, we do not need permission to gather peacefully from anyone. This is a peaceful march that we are planning. If you do something wrong, then the police will deal with you.”

Durban Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said authorities would be meeting with the affected civic groups at 14:00 on Thursday. “We can only comment on the matter after the discussions this afternoon,” he said.

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