IT was not business as usual for the Durban CBD with most shops opting not to open as scores of anti-illegal protesters marched from King Dinuzulu Park to Point Police Station on Tuesday (June 30).

The march led by March and March was due to have started at 09:00 but commenced more than two hours later, at 11:30. Reports indicated that the delay was due to the uncertainty over Zulu regiment leader Nkosiikhona Phakel’umthakathi Ndabandaba attending the protest.

As the Zulu regiments, some carrying the prohibited sticks and shields, moved back and forth along King Dinuzulu Road near Berea Centre, deliberations were happening between March and March leaders and law enforcement who gave the go ahead for the protest to start under the escort of a large number of police and security guards.

Moving down Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, some of the crowd broke off into a sprint, leading to chaos and police temporarily losing control of the situation.

“We were testing the strength of our police force,” said one protester.

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Fighting to regain control of the crowd, both police and regiment leaders were able to call everyone back to order. March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, who was among the thousands of protesters, urged for calm as they moved back to the front of the masses.

Delighted with the turnout, Ngobese Zuma said, “Every South African should be proud with what we are seeing here today. We have been saying it all along that South Africans are tired.

“The scores of people that are here today are amplifying their voices in saying that we are tired of undocumented foreign nationals being given free rein in our country.”

By 14:00 the protesters were making their way to Point Police Station to hand over their memorandum demanding that government acts on the influx of illegal immigrants into the country. Ndabandaba, who arrived late, said he was proud of how the regiment leaders were able to gain control of the situation.

To his men, he said, “Do not lose control, it is what they want. Shame them by not doing anything. You made it this far into the CBD without my leadership. Show them how peaceful we are.”

The march concluded late in the afternoon with political parties like uMkhonto Wesizwe Party and ActionSA supporting the protest.

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