Police in South Africa on Wednesday fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters in the coastal city of Durban as tensions over immigration intensified ahead of upcoming local elections.
The country has long faced recurring waves of anti-foreigner sentiment, which have at times escalated into violent and deadly attacks on immigrants.
The latest protest was mobilised by various groups, including political parties and the controversial vigilante movement Operation Dudula, whose name translates to “push back” in Zulu.
Demonstrators flooded the streets carrying placards, singing, and chanting while calling for stricter action against undocumented foreign nationals. Police initially managed to prevent the crowd from advancing toward the beachfront, an area protesters alleged was plagued by drug-related activities and crime.
However, the situation escalated when a smaller group broke away from the main march, harassing bystanders and looting shops, prompting security forces to respond with force.
Many shop owners had already shut down their businesses ahead of the protest, fearing unrest and potential violence.
Speaking at the demonstration, Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, defended the protest, insisting that stricter immigration controls were necessary.
“People can call us names but we cannot allow a situation where our country is being destroyed before our very own eyes,” he said.
“We are seeing our government allowing our country to be flooded by groups from all over the world as far as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mexico, all over the world. So we are saying to our government this is unacceptable,” he added.
Among those in attendance was 81-year-old Thembi Dlamini, who expressed frustration over what she described as corruption and rising unemployment.
“I have seen my country going down because officials take bribes to give documents illegally, police allow drug trade because they are paid,” she said.
“Jobs are being taken away by our brothers from other parts of Africa who are here illegally. Where will our children get jobs?”
As Africa’s most industrialised economy, South Africa remains a major destination for migrants seeking employment, despite its high unemployment rate, which stands at around 32 percent.
According to official statistics, approximately three million foreigners, about 5.1 percent of the population, currently reside in the country, contributing to growing tensions over jobs and economic opportunities.
What you should know
Anti-immigrant protests in South Africa highlight deep-rooted tensions driven by unemployment, economic hardship, and perceptions of crime linked to undocumented migrants.
With elections approaching, immigration has become a major political issue, with some leaders pushing for stricter controls. While protests often start peacefully, they have historically escalated into violence.
The situation underscores the challenge of balancing economic realities with social stability in one of Africa’s most developed economies.
