South African police seek court ban on anti-immigration marches after concerns about violence during demonstrations in Durban prompted urgent legal action against the March and March movement and its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.

The KwaZulu-Natal High Court granted an interim interdict on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, restricting the movement’s protest activities in eThekwini Municipality while the court considers whether the restrictions should be made final. The matter is scheduled to return to court on Friday, 30 October.

The legal action follows reports of violence, property damage, assaults and threats involving recent demonstrations. Police have also raised concerns about an alleged threat to set fire to the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Berea, Durban.

The dispute has placed the right to peaceful protest, public safety and immigration enforcement at the centre of a growing national debate ahead of the local government elections.

According to reporting by eNCA, the interim order was obtained by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. <Cite refs={[“turn858534search0″,”turn858534search3”]}/>

South African police seek court ban after Durban unrest

The court action follows mounting tensions surrounding anti-immigration marches organised by March and March, a movement led by Ngobese-Zuma.

The movement has staged demonstrations calling for stronger enforcement of immigration laws and action against undocumented immigration. Its activities have attracted public attention in Durban and other areas where immigration, employment, public services and community safety remain contentious issues.

However, recent demonstrations have also raised concerns among authorities about the risk of further unrest.

According to media reports, police cited incidents involving assaults, damage to property, forced business closures and the reported death of a foreign national during the period of unrest. Authorities also referred to intelligence concerning an alleged plan to burn down the refugee reception centre.

These allegations form part of the grounds advanced for urgent court intervention. They should not be interpreted as proof that every protester or movement member was involved in criminal conduct.

The interim interdict is intended to address the immediate concerns while the court considers the longer-term restrictions sought by the applicants. <Cite refs={[“turn858534search0″,”turn858534search1”]}/>

What the interim court order means

An interim interdict is a temporary court order that remains in force while a matter is considered further or until the court directs otherwise.

In this case, the Durban High Court granted temporary restrictions against March and March and named respondents pending a further hearing.

Reports indicate that the affected area includes the wider eThekwini municipal jurisdiction, with particular attention to the Durban central business district and Che Guevara Road in Berea, where the refugee reception centre is located.

The order restricts specified protest activities while the court considers whether the relief sought should be confirmed. The exact legal obligations are determined by the wording of the signed order.

The Friday hearing is therefore important because the respondents will have an opportunity to address the application before the court decides whether to make the restrictions final.

The distinction between an interim order and a final ruling matters: the current restrictions are temporary, and the next court proceedings will determine what happens afterwards. <Cite refs={[“turn858534search3″,”turn858534search7”]}/>

March and March movement under scrutiny

March and March, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has become a prominent voice in demonstrations against illegal immigration.

The movement says it wants the government to address public concerns about immigration enforcement. Its protests have included demands for action from authorities and greater attention to the impact of undocumented immigration on communities.

However, the latest legal proceedings have raised questions about how demonstrations are conducted and how authorities should respond when they believe public safety is at risk.

According to TimesLIVE, Ngobese-Zuma confirmed that the movement had received court papers seeking to restrict its marches. She criticised the government’s actions, arguing that they threatened its democratic right to protest. <Cite refs={[“turn858534search1”]}/>

Her position highlights the tension between the constitutional protection of peaceful assembly and the state’s responsibility to protect residents, businesses and public infrastructure.

The right to protest does not remove the obligation to comply with lawful court orders or laws prohibiting violence, intimidation and damage to property.

Equally, restrictions on demonstrations must be considered within the applicable legal framework, including the circumstances presented to the court and the rights of those affected.

Police raise concerns about the refugee reception centre

One of the central concerns cited in the court proceedings involves the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road, formerly known as Moore Road, in Berea.

Police reportedly raised an allegation that the facility could be targeted in an arson attack.

The centre is an important public facility for people seeking to access refugee-related services. Any attack on such premises could threaten the safety of people using the facility, employees and surrounding communities.

Authorities also raised concerns about alleged intimidation, harassment, looting, assaults and damage to homes, vehicles and businesses.

The court application sought restrictions intended to prevent further violence and protect access to public and private premises.

These remain serious allegations that must be assessed in accordance with the legal process. The court’s consideration of the application provides a mechanism for examining the requested restrictions and the reasons supporting them. <Cite refs={[“turn858534search2″,”turn858534search7”]}/>

Durban businesses and residents affected by tensions

The protests have contributed to uncertainty for residents, traders and businesses in parts of Durban.

When demonstrations become violent or roads and entrances are blocked, businesses may experience interruptions to trading, deliveries and customer access. Workers and commuters can also face difficulties moving through affected areas.

Reports of vehicles being torched and shops being looted during earlier demonstrations have intensified concerns about public safety and economic disruption. The Associated Press reported that at least 24 vehicles were burned and shops were looted during protests earlier in October. <Cite refs={[“turn858534news18″,”turn858534search4”]}/>

Such incidents can have consequences beyond the immediate protest sites, particularly for small businesses that depend on daily sales and reliable transport.

At the same time, the concerns expressed by protesters about immigration policy remain issues for public debate and government engagement.

The challenge for authorities is to manage demonstrations lawfully while protecting people from violence, ensuring that businesses can operate and allowing peaceful civic participation.

The interim court order forms part of the response to those competing concerns.

Government response to anti-immigration marches

The legal action comes as immigration enforcement has become a prominent public issue ahead of South Africa’s local government elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence associated with the protests and warned against exploiting public concern about illegal immigration to encourage unrest or conceal criminal activity.

The government has also deployed more than 500 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal amid the wider security concerns, according to the Associated Press. <Cite refs={[“turn858534news18″,”turn858534search4”]}/>

The situation illustrates the pressure on authorities to address community concerns while preventing violence and protecting constitutional rights.

Immigration policy, border management and access to public services are matters that can be debated through lawful political and civic channels. However, attacks on individuals or businesses cannot be justified by disagreements over immigration policy.

Foreign nationals, South African residents, business owners and public officials all have an interest in safe communities and lawful public administration.

The court proceedings will focus on the specific relief sought and the risks presented to the court, rather than resolving the broader national debate over immigration policy.

What happens next in the court case?

The matter is scheduled to return to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court on Friday, 30 October 2026.

The court is expected to consider whether the interim restrictions should be confirmed. The respondents will have an opportunity to address why the requested relief should or should not become final.

The outcome could determine the conditions under which the named respondents may organise or participate in the specified protest activities in eThekwini.

Until the court makes a further decision, those affected should follow the terms of the interim order and seek clarification from the relevant authorities where necessary.

Residents and businesses should also rely on official police and municipal updates for information about safety measures, road access and any changes affecting public facilities.

Readers should avoid circulating unverified claims about planned violence or attributing alleged criminal acts to individuals without reliable evidence.

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Conclusion: Court scrutiny intensifies over Durban protests

The case in which South African police seek court ban on anti-immigration marches highlights growing tensions surrounding the March and March movement’s demonstrations in Durban.

The interim interdict follows police concerns about alleged threats, violence and property damage, including a reported threat against the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre.

The Durban High Court is due to consider on Friday whether the restrictions should be made final. Until then, the interim order remains a central part of the legal response to the situation.

The case also raises important questions about balancing peaceful protest rights with public safety and the protection of businesses, residents and public infrastructure.

As the legal process continues, the outcome of the hearing and any further official statements will help clarify the restrictions that apply to the movement and its named respondents.

References from mainstream media

1. IOL: “Mkhwanazi clamps down on March and March as plot to burn Home Affairs office emerges” – https://iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-10-29-mkhwanazi-clamps-down-on-march-and-march-after-durban-violence/

2. IOL (Sunday Tribune): “Durban High Court to hear bid to restrict March and March protests” – https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-10-29-durban-high-court-to-hear-bid-to-restrict-march-and-march-protests/

3. Daily Maverick: “What to know about the refugee ruling that sparked riots in Durban and Soweto” – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-09-what-to-know-about-the-refugee-ruling-that-sparked-riots-in-durban-and-soweto/

4. African Insider: “Mkhwanazi moves to stop March and March amid fears of Home Affairs arson” – https://www.africaninsider.com/politics/mkhwanazi-moves-to-stop-march-and-march-amid-fears-of-home-affairs-arson/

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