Tension gripped Durban on Wednesday as an anti-foreigner protest escalated into violence, prompting security forces to deploy teargas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Hundreds of demonstrators had taken to the streets demanding stricter government action against foreign nationals, including Nigerians, but the situation later deteriorated, with reports of harassment and sporadic looting in parts of the city.
The protest drew backing from groups such as the Inkatha Freedom Party and the controversial vigilante movement Operation Dudula. Participants carried placards accusing undocumented migrants from countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh of taking jobs and contributing to crime.
Speaking during the demonstration, Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, criticised the government’s immigration policies, warning that unchecked migration could place further strain on the country’s economy and public services.
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As tensions spread, many business owners shut their shops over fears of violence, while security personnel moved in to restore order following isolated incidents of looting.
Residents in affected areas also voiced frustration over rising unemployment and corruption, blaming authorities for failing to manage illegal immigration effectively. Official data shows unemployment in South Africa hovering around 32 percent, with millions of foreign nationals currently residing in the country.
The unrest highlights growing public anger over economic hardship and mounting pressure on the government to take decisive action on immigration, even as concerns rise over the safety of foreign nationals and the risk of further escalation.
