PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has strongly pushed back against the announcement of weekly anti-immigration marches, cautioning that continuous protests will project a damaging image of provincial instability. Speaking in the wake of Tuesday’s largely peaceful anti-illegal immigration demonstrations, the premier emphasized that recurring weekly rallies threaten to stifle foreign investment, cripple the local tourism sector, and ultimately destroy job opportunities in the region.
While Ntuli commended the majority of participants for maintaining order during Tuesday’s events—which were notably less violent than anticipated thanks to extensive prior coordination with police, traditional leaders, and local government—law enforcement still made over 51 arrests. These detentions were linked to various offenses that occurred during the demonstrations, including incidents of looting.
Despite the overall peaceful tone of the official marches, a disturbing trend of civilian vigilantism has emerged in the province. The Premier highlighted two specific flashpoints: Shallcross Stadium in Durban and areas within Pietermaritzburg. In these locations, Zimbabwean nationals have been forced into makeshift gathering sites after residents conducted unauthorized door-to-door searches, demanding that undocumented individuals vacate the country.
Ntuli firmly condemned citizens taking the law into their own hands. He stressed that civilians cannot act as immigration officers, urging the public to leave enforcement to the Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies. “They are supposed to report to the police because the police with the immigration officers are the only ones who have a capacity to determine whether a person is here legally or illegally,” Ntuli stated.
Addressing the root of the undocumented population surge, Ntuli expressed surprise at the sheer volume of undocumented foreign nationals discovered in the province, pointing to the recent mass repatriation of Malawian citizens as a prime example. However, he placed significant responsibility on the local populace, noting that South African residents and business owners have actively contributed to the issue by renting out spaza shops and employing undocumented migrants as nannies and domestic workers.
Reiterating a directive previously issued by the President during a State of the Nation address, the Premier warned that South Africans who employ undocumented foreigners are also subject to arrest. He noted that this message is finally resonating with communities, shifting the public posture toward greater cooperation with authorities.
The displacement of foreign nationals has sparked a growing humanitarian concern, with women and children left exposed to the cold in makeshift camps. Ntuli described the situation as deeply inhumane, stressing that vulnerable individuals must be treated with dignity regardless of their documentation status.
To address the crisis, the provincial government is actively collaborating with national departments, NGOs, and foreign diplomatic missions, such as the Malawian High Commission. These partnerships are focused on resolving documentation issues and providing emergency transport for those wishing to return to their home countries voluntarily.
Looking ahead, organizers have declared their intention to hold smaller, targeted marches every Thursday to maintain pressure on undocumented migrants. Ntuli made it unequivocally clear that the provincial government will not support these recurring demonstrations.
“We cannot support instability because when you cause people to march on a weekly basis, it becomes a problem,” Ntuli explained. He pointed out that local businesses already suffer financial losses on the days marches take place, and continuous disruptions will only worsen the economic climate.
Determined to prevent a recurrence of the devastating unrest experienced in 2021, the KZN government is doubling down on engagements with civic societies, moral regeneration forums, and the council of social cohesion. The Premier concluded by urging all sectors of society to prioritize peace, ensuring the province remains a safe and attractive environment for future economic growth.