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Tension over illegal migration in South Africa boiled over in Durban on Thursday when about 100 members of the March and March Movement embarked on what they called a community “clean-up” campaign
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The clash comes less than a month before March and March’s September 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
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KwaZulu-Natal police confirmed that at least one foreign national was arrested after allegedly throwing a stone that struck a police officer. Several people were injured during the confrontation, while police deployed crowd-management measures to separate the rival groups and restore calm.
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The Durban violence has raised fresh fears of a wider escalation as the September 30 deadline approaches, particularly because the confrontation occurred around a makeshift camp housing refugees and asylum seekers.
September 05, (THEWILL) — A confrontation between South Africa’s anti-immigration March and March Movement and foreign nationals in Durban has descended into violence, with stones, sticks and tear gas deployed as police moved to prevent the situation from escalating.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the Umbilo area of Durban, where foreign nationals have been camping outside the Department of Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road.
About 100 members of March and March reportedly arrived in the area as part of what the movement described as a community “clean-up” campaign.
But what was intended as a clean-up exercise quickly turned into a confrontation after the protesters allegedly picked up essential belongings belonging to some of the foreign nationals.
The two sides subsequently engaged in a physical confrontation, with stones thrown and sticks used as weapons. As the violence intensified, people at the scene ran for safety while police moved in to separate the groups.
Police eventually restored calm after deploying crowd-management measures.
Police Confirm Assault On Officer
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a foreign national had been arrested following the confrontation. According to the police, the suspect allegedly assaulted a police officer by throwing a stone which struck the officer.
“Police in KwaZulu-Natal are in the process of registering a case against a foreign national who assaulted a police officer with a stone during a confrontation between people who were marching and foreign nationals who have been camping outside the Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road at Umbilo in Durban,” police said.
The police said officers had been sufficiently deployed to contain the situation.
“Police had to use minimum crowd management force to manage the situation and calm was quickly restored,” the authorities said, adding that investigations were continuing and warned that anyone found to have incited or participated in the violence would face prosecution.
The confrontation reportedly resulted in injuries on both sides, while some people were affected by tear gas during the police intervention.
March And March Claims 10 Members Injured
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the movement had informed police before embarking on the clean-up campaign.
She said the group acted after receiving complaints from members of the local community about conditions in the area.
“We get information from the people of the community, so we come and clean the community. We inform the police about the clean-up,” Ngobese-Zuma said.
According to her, the situation changed when some foreign nationals allegedly confronted members of the movement.
“We see that some guys begin to attack our members with sticks, so the whole thing begins to turn into violence,” she said.
Ngobese-Zuma claimed that 10 members of March and March were injured during the confrontation. She also alleged that some members were affected by tear gas.
The movement’s leader accused the police of failing to adequately protect its members, claiming that officers instead ordered them to leave the area because of the large number of foreign nationals present.
Refugee Camp Becomes Flashpoint
The location of the confrontation has heightened concerns because foreign nationals involved in the incident were among people who have been camping outside the Home Affairs office.
The camp has housed refugees and asylum seekers who have been seeking assistance with their immigration status and accommodation.
Their prolonged presence outside the government office has become a source of tension in the area and a focal point for March and March’s anti-immigration campaign.
Reports indicate that many of the people in the camp are refugees and asylum seekers from other African countries who say they fled difficult circumstances and are seeking protection or assistance from South African authorities.
The confrontation on Thursday has now raised fears for the safety of the camp’s occupants.
The incident also demonstrates the potential danger of allowing politically charged anti-immigration campaigns to operate around vulnerable migrant populations without adequate security arrangements.
September 30 Deadline Looms
The Durban confrontation comes at a particularly sensitive time for South Africa.
March and March has issued September 30 as its latest deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country. The deadline is part of the movement’s wider campaign against illegal migration and follows its earlier June 30 ultimatum.
The June campaign generated considerable anxiety among migrant communities across South Africa, with several African governments taking steps to evacuate or repatriate citizens amid fears of attacks.
March and March has since renewed its campaign and indicated that it intends to mobilise supporters again on September 30.
The September deadline, however, is not a formal government deportation deadline. It is a demand issued by the anti-immigration movement.
Under South African law, immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the government and its relevant agencies.
The movement’s campaign has increasingly become one of the most visible manifestations of public anger over illegal migration in South Africa.
Supporters accuse undocumented foreigners of taking jobs from South Africans, placing pressure on public services, engaging in criminal activities and operating businesses without complying with South African laws.
March and March have demanded stronger border controls and tougher enforcement against foreigners who do not have valid immigration documents.
But migrant rights organisations and other critics have warned against portraying all foreigners as criminals or blaming migrants collectively for South Africa’s economic and social problems.
They argue that unemployment, crime, inadequate public services and weak border controls are complex problems requiring government intervention rather than attacks on foreign nationals.
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Fears Of Fresh Xenophobic Violence
The latest confrontation has revived fears of another wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The country has experienced several outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals over the years, with migrants attacked, businesses looted and families forced to flee their homes.
The latest campaign has generated particular concern because of the use of deadlines and threats of mass mobilisation.
Although March and March says its campaign is focused on undocumented foreigners and illegal migration, authorities face the challenge of ensuring that such campaigns do not become a pretext for vigilante action against migrants who may have valid documentation or legitimate claims to remain in South Africa.
The Durban incident could become an early warning sign if tensions continue to rise before September 30.
Nigeria, Ghana Among Countries Affected
The anti-immigration tensions have also had consequences beyond South Africa’s borders.
Nigeria and Ghana are among African countries that have taken steps to evacuate or repatriate citizens amid fears generated by anti-migrant protests.
Other African governments have also monitored developments closely because of the large number of their citizens living and working in South Africa.
The repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence have periodically strained Pretoria’s relations with other African countries and raised questions about South Africa’s obligations to protect citizens of fellow African states living legally within its borders.
The South African government is now facing pressure from both sides of the immigration debate.
On one hand, authorities are under pressure to strengthen border controls and remove undocumented migrants. On the other, the government must ensure that immigration enforcement does not become an excuse for attacks on foreigners.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior officials have repeatedly maintained that anyone who violates South African law (whether South African or foreign must face the legal consequences. Government authorities have also warned against taking the law into private hands.
The position is particularly important ahead of September 30, when March and March plans to mobilise supporters again.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
