Durban is counting the cost of violent anti-immigration protests that left vehicles burnt, shops looted and businesses damaged, as 24 people faced court proceedings following days of unrest that threatened lives, livelihoods and the city’s economic future.
Two accused were granted bail of R1 000 each, while another remains behind bars as investigations continue into incidents linked to the demonstrations.
The court proceedings on Monday, October 12, followed Thursday’s, October 8, unrest in the Durban CBD, where at least 14 vehicles were set alight, buildings were damaged and businesses were forced to close amid fears of further violence.
The demonstrations involved members of anti-immigration groups March and March and Insizwa Nobunsizwa, who gathered near the Department of Home Affairs’ Durban Refugee Reception Centre before tensions spilled into surrounding streets.
Foreign nationals were targeted during the disorder, while businesses believed to be foreign-owned were vandalised and, in some cases, looted. The violence prompted a visit by acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who assessed the damage and the security response.
Ntuli warned that continued violence and instability could drive investors away, with devastating consequences for the province’s economy and future generations. “ Children will bear the brunt if investors lose confidence in KwaZulu-Natal because of violence and instability.”
Minister Cachalia acknowledged public concerns about illegal immigration, unemployment, poverty and service delivery but warned that violence and destruction were not acceptable ways of addressing grievances.
He attributed some of the tensions to a breakdown in communication and misunderstandings surrounding a Constitutional Court judgment on asylum-seeker applications. Cachalia said the government was considering approaching the Constitutional Court to seek an adjustment to its order to address administrative difficulties in implementing the ruling.
He also revealed that businesspeople had contacted him with concerns about whether they should continue investing in Durban following the destruction.
Mkhwanazi and senior police officials assessed the law-enforcement response as authorities worked to restore order and prevent further attacks. Police initially confirmed that three foreign nationals had been arrested in connection with an alleged assault on a protester during Thursday’s unrest. At the time, police said no arrests had been made in connection with the burning of vehicles and other incidents of public violence, although investigations were continuing.
Further arrests followed. By Saturday, October 10, police had reported 19 arrests in Durban and surrounding areas, including four people arrested on Thursday in connection with attempted murder and the discharge of a firearm in public. Additional arrests were subsequently reported.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said investigations were continuing to identify those responsible for setting vehicles and buildings alight and damaging property.
Among those appearing in court on Monday were Sphelele Shinga, also known as Magolide, Malizo Dzanibe and Wandile Nsibande. They were arrested on Saturday in connection with incidents linked to the demonstrations and allegations surrounding plans to disrupt the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Shinga and Dzanibe were granted bail of R1 000 each, while Nsibande was remanded in custody. The State raised concerns about Nsibande’s previous conviction and parole status.
The court heard that he had previously been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder. He also has a pending assault case in Eshowe.
The two men granted bail were ordered not to participate in violent protests, intimidate Home Affairs officials, threaten foreign nationals or take part in efforts to force businesses to close. They were also prohibited from going within 500 metres of a Home Affairs office. The three accused are expected back in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 16.
Other accused appeared in separate proceedings relating to public violence and property damage. Their bail applications were postponed, with the State indicating that it intended to oppose bail in the relevant cases. One accused in a separate matter was released on warning. These proceedings are separate from the case involving the three foreign nationals arrested over the alleged assault of a protester on Thursday. They face separate charges and are due back in court on October 19.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma defended the organisation’s right to demonstrate, “People are entitled to express their dissatisfaction in a democracy. Our organisation is not associated to any criminal activity and our members had participated in demonstrations without engaging in wrongdoing,” said Ngobese-Zuma
However, the right to peaceful protest does not extend to arson, looting, assault, intimidation or the destruction of property. Insizwa Nobunsizwa leader Nkosikhona “Phakelumthakathi” Ndabandaba has also been linked to the demonstrations, while DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen condemned the violence, saying it would not resolve the problems anti-immigration groups were seeking to address.
The economic fallout has left business owners facing damaged premises, lost stock and interrupted trading. Workers, suppliers and customers have also been affected by closures and fears of further unrest.
By Sunday, October 11, some businesses had begun reopening cautiously, although security remained a concern. South African National Defence Force vehicles were also seen moving through parts of Berea, central Durban and South Beach as authorities worked to stabilise the situation.
The unrest has raised urgent questions about accountability, public safety and the protection of people’s livelihoods. While those responsible for criminal acts must face the law, authorities also face pressure to address the grievances driving tensions without allowing further violence.
For Durban, the cost extends far beyond burnt vehicles and broken windows. Continued instability threatens tourism, investment and confidence in the city as a place to live, work and do business.
The question now is who will pay for the destruction: those responsible for the alleged crimes, businesses forced to rebuild, workers who lost income or a city whose reputation and economic future have been put at risk.
