Small business owners in Durban’s CBD say that while they fathom the intention behind the ongoing protests in the city, these regular occurrences are taking a toll on their livelihoods.

This comes after violent protests brought the regular functioning of the businesses in the area to a halt. Anti-immigrant and anti-illegal immigration protests have been the order of the week after locals took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with a Constitutional Court ruling which introduced changes to asylum application procedures.

According to a 32-year-old vendor who sells shoes and other clothing items from a stall on the busy pavement of Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, this was taking a toll on her profits.

Also read: 14 cars burnt in violent CBD anti-illegal immigration protest

“These protests affect us a lot as vendors on the streets because people are no longer buying from us but opt to go to malls instead, in fear of their safety due to constant marches. It is now very quiet. The only time it is busy is around pay days for grant recipients.”

She said that the violent protests from yesterday compelled her to shut down her business and she returned today to try again.

“The people who are leading us as small traders encouraged us to open our stalls today and continue trading so that the government can see how hungry and desperate we are. We do not get any support from the government. Just false promises.”

She said that it was important for the South African government to be decisive on this matter and that there should be a balance in how resources are allocated if indeed foreigners are granted permission to remain in the country.

Meanwhile, a 57-year-old vendor who has been selling fruits and vegetables in the streets of Durban for more than 20 years said that his business was also taking a knock.

“We are really struggling. This is our bread and butter and having to shut down abruptly frequently really is troublesome because that means my children will go to bed on an empty stomach.”

He said that he did however support the initiative to chase away illegal foreigners.

“I do support the mandate of those marching. With everything happening currently, it came as a great shock for me to realise just how many foreigners were trading in South Africa. So many shops belonging to them have been shut down while the protests happen.”

Also read: VIDEO: Durban refugee reception office shuts down amid protest

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said that they would be playing a role in trying to curb the violence.

“As provincial government we are certain that the police did good work and I am hopeful that from now, as a province, together with the municipality, we will have to have engagements with the organisers of the marches, together with the law enforcers so that we ensure that going forward we work together to ensure that we protect our province and we protect business.”

He gave assurance to the business sector that this was a safe province and that the relevant departments were ready to protect investments.

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