CLERMONT, KwaZulu-Natal — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been urgently deployed to KwaDabeka following a devastating wave of Clermont business lootings that unfolded against the backdrop of widespread Durban immigration protests. The overnight attacks targeted a local shopping precinct, prompting a heavy security response as authorities grapple with both criminal opportunism and civil unrest.
Under the cover of darkness on Tuesday—a day when the centre was already shuttered due to nationwide demonstrations against undocumented immigrants—criminals struck. Two supermarkets and a dental practice were completely ransacked, with thieves absconding with high-value merchandise and specialized dental equipment. According to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), the broader provincial unrest has resulted in 120 marches and 150 arrests across KwaZulu-Natal.
Millions in Damages and Overwhelmed Police
The manager of the ransacked shopping complex, which provides employment for 19 local community members, estimated that the financial toll would reach into the millions of rands. Describing the chaotic scene, the manager noted that the sheer volume of looters overwhelmed law enforcement on the ground.
“Even the police they couldn’t be able to manage to save the property,” the manager explained, adding that the ransacked supermarket was a vital, large-scale retail hub for the surrounding neighborhood.
This destruction carries a bitter sense of déjà vu for the affected merchants. The precinct was similarly decimated during the widespread July 2021 unrest. “It’s not the first time… this is the second time,” a devastated business owner noted, echoing the manager’s sentiments that the recurring financial losses are overwhelming.
Durban CBD Salon Disputes Spark Near-Clashes
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of the immigration protests have sparked distinct friction in the city’s Central Business District. Precautionary measures saw shutters pulled down over numerous foreign-owned retail outlets, with only a handful of businesses daring to open by midday. However, a flashpoint emerged when local South African salon workers found themselves locked out of their own workplaces, while allegedly undocumented foreign nationals were permitted to continue operating inside the same buildings.
The inconsistency in enforcement led to near-clashes. Local salon owners expressed deep frustration over competitors flouting the closure agreements. “Another salon… it was closed. Yesterday just now it’s open,” one local worker recounted, describing the moment a member of their group confronted the situation and found a foreign national actively working inside a premises that was supposed to be shut down.
Landlords Caught in the Crossfire
In a separate incident at a Durban building, police had to be called to diffuse rising hostilities between tenants. The property’s landlady expressed profound frustration over her impossible position regarding tenant compliance.
“I am not immigration to verify whether it’s fake or whether it’s valid,” she pleaded. She detailed how police visit day and night to check documents; when she submits the paperwork provided by her tenants, authorities reject it, leaving her helpless and asking, “What do we do?”
Economic Fallout to be Assessed
As the province attempts to restore order, the commercial sector is tallying the fallout. Organized business representatives in KwaZulu-Natal are scheduled to publish a formal statement later this week, which will detail the severe economic impact and widespread business closures triggered by the marches.