DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — A planned demonstration by the March and March movement in Durban turned violent earlier today, escalating refugee tensions on Che Guevara Road. The protest, initially billed as a “clean-up” operation, quickly devolved into clashes involving hundreds of refugees who have been living on the city’s streets for over three months, prompting immediate intervention from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The confrontation began immediately upon the arrival of the March and March demonstrators at Che Guevara Road, formerly known as MO Road. According to accounts from the scene, the crowd clashed using stones, sticks, and various objects classified as weapons. Unconfirmed reports also circulated among demonstrators regarding the presence of a firearm at the scene. To restore order and manage the crowd, law enforcement officers deployed stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
The underlying tension stems from the plight of hundreds of refugees encamped outside the Home Affairs refugee reception center in Umbilo. These individuals, who state they are legally registered, have undergone verification processes, and have been in South Africa since May, claim they were forcibly displaced from their homes during recent anti-immigration protests. Representatives for the displaced group report that the situation has become dire, with two individuals reportedly dying due to a lack of adequate food and medication while living on the streets for more than ten weeks.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Umbilo issued a formal statement addressing the commotion. SAPS confirmed that an investigation is underway, particularly concerning an assault on a law enforcement officer during the morning’s events. Authorities stated that a foreign national allegedly assaulted a March and March demonstrator before turning on a police officer with a stone. This individual was promptly arrested and removed from the crowd to prevent further escalation, and SAPS confirmed it is in the process of registering a formal case against them.
In their official statement, the South African Police Service emphasized that officers utilized “minimum crowd management proportional force” to control the situation. While calm has reportedly been restored to the area, it remains unclear what actions the March and March movement will take going forward following the violent turn of events.
