As concerns over looting and unrest grow ahead of the planned anti-illegal immigration protest, March and March has reiterated its commitment to peaceful demonstrations. 

Founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said organisers have measures in place to ensure the June 30 demonstrations remain orderly. 

“We have our own security and measures in place to ensure everything remains safe,” she added. 

Ngobese-Zuma claimed the eThekwini Municipality was the only municipality to deny permission for the protest. 

“We are still going ahead with the march,” she said. 

The municipality disputed this.

eThekwini Municipality Metro Police spokesperson Victor Zungu said the application had not been rejected but that organisers had been asked to consider an alternative route ending at Durban City Hall. 

Zungu said law enforcement agencies met March and March representatives on June 25 to discuss safety and security arrangements. 

“Proposed starting and ending points were provided to the organisation, which were subsequently declined,” he explained. 

Zungu added that after careful consideration, the proposed alternative endpoint was also rejected due to safety concerns. 

“Role-players cited safety and security concerns should the march proceed along unauthorised routes.” 

Safety measures 

Measures include maintaining a visible law enforcement presence across the city and surrounding areas, including townships, business districts, major transport routes and other key locations. 

“Law enforcement officers remain on high alert and are prepared to respond swiftly to any incidents that may threaten public safety or infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal activities,” said Zungu. 

He urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant and continue with their daily activities as normal. 

Civil society groups join march 

More than 20 civil society organisations are expected to join the march, including the Inziswa Nobunsizwa Development Foundation, led by Nkosikhona ‘Phakel’umthakathi’ Ndabandaba. 

He met with senior SAPS officials in KZN on June 25 and reassured police that he leads disciplined men who toe the line and follow the commands of their leaders. 

Ndabandaba said people needed to stand up for the country and its well-being. 
 
“Our people must come first; however, we understand that violence will not solve our problems. Ours is to hold government accountable in ensuring that whoever lives within the borders of South Africa, and in our communities is in the country legally and respect the rule of law.” 
 
He added that the organisation did not advocate violence against people from other countries. 
 
“All we want is for them to come into our country legally and that they must not feed our children drugs and commit all sorts of crimes,” said Ndabandaba. 

Police won’t stop marches 

KZN provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi thanked community leaders for working with law enforcement, saying it reflected the highest level of responsibility. 

“We all want illegal foreign nationals to leave because being in the country illegally is a crime.” 

He said it is for that reason that they arrest scores of undocumented foreign nationals daily.  

“However, no amount of crime calls for any person to be attacked or killed. Patriotism must propel the community to hold us as government accountable, not to destroy property which make our country standout among most countries.” 
 
He said police will not stop lawful marches and will ensure participants can demonstrate without fear.  
 
“Those who are not committing any crime must be happy to see the presence of police during their marches. We have the responsibility to maintain public order. Our appeal to organisers of the marches is that they must preach the message of responsible citizenship and discipline during marches.” 
 
Mkhwanazi added that crime will be dealt with as a crime and the law will take its course.  
 
“We are here to protect and serve as the SAPS, so the community must feel free to engage us and deliberate on issues for the betterment of our province and country at large”, he said. 

Tighten security 

Earlier this week, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said they had identified hotspot areas but would not divulge them. 

According to Berea Mail, about 200 residents from Essenwood and Musgrave in Durban held meetings to discuss preparedness for June 30. 
 
During the meeting, residents agreed that businesses will operate as normal but with ‘extra caution’. 

Cachalia added that security forces will conduct daily assessments, briefings and continuous monitoring to respond to any emerging risks. 

He said SAPS will lead public order operations, with support from the SANDF if needed, and that co-ordination mechanisms are in place to respond to any eventuality. 

Police have also partnered with private security companies and the South African National Taxi Council, which has called for demonstrations to remain peaceful. 

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