KwaZulu-Natal police and March and March organisers agreed planned 30 June 2026 demonstrations will proceed peacefully following a Durban meeting focused on preventing violence, looting and ensuring lawful public conduct.
Image: SAPS / Faceboook
KwaZulu-Natal police and March and March organisers have agreed that planned marches on 30 June 2026 will proceed without violence, looting or criminal activity following a late-night meeting at the SAPS provincial headquarters in Durban.
The meeting brought together senior KwaZulu-Natal police leadership, including Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba and Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing Major General Vukani Mgobhozi.
They met with representatives of march organisers led by Nkosikhona ‘Phakhel’umthakhathi’ Ndabandaba, Malusi Zondi of Economic and Cultural Envoy, and Black Business Federation secretary-general Wonder Jaca.
Police said discussions focused on cooperation between law enforcement and organisers, respect for the right to protest, stability and safety matters, and ensuring that marches are conducted within the bounds of the law.
The engagement led to an understanding that there would be no violence, criminality or looting linked to the planned demonstrations.
Ndabandaba said organisers remained committed to disciplined and peaceful mobilisation, insisting that the march was aimed at accountability rather than unrest.
“The country is ours, and we shall fight for its well-being. Our people must come first; however, we understand that violence will not solve our problems,” he said.
He added that organisers did not support violence against foreign nationals, but maintained that immigration laws must be enforced.
“We do not advocate for any violence against our brothers and sisters from other countries. All we want is for them to come into our country legally and that they must not feed our children drugs or commit all sorts of crimes,” he said.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi welcomed the engagement, saying cooperation between police and community leaders was key to maintaining stability ahead of the planned marches.
He said police would continue daily operations targeting undocumented foreign nationals, adding that being in the country illegally remained a criminal offence.
“We all want illegal foreign nationals to leave because being in the country illegally is a crime. It is for that reason that we arrest scores of undocumented foreign nationals daily,” Mkhwanazi said.
However, he stressed that no grievance justified violence or attacks on individuals.
“No amount of crime calls for any person to be attacked or killed,” he said.
“Patriotism must propel communities to hold us as government accountable, not to destroy property, which makes our country stand out among most countries.”
Mkhwanazi said police would not stop lawful marches and would ensure participants were able to demonstrate without fear.
“Police will not stop any marches, and we shall ensure that those who want to march do so without fear.
''Those who are not committing any crime must be happy to see the presence of police during their marches.''
He added that police had a responsibility to maintain public order and urged organisers to promote discipline and lawful conduct during the demonstrations.
''Our appeal to organisers of the marches is that they must preach the message of responsible citizenship and discipline during marches. Crime will be dealt with as a crime, and the law will take its course.
''We are here to protect and serve as the SAPS, so the community must feel free to engage us and deliberate on issues for the betterment of our province and country at large,” said Mkhwanazi.
Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality clarified that the March and March application had not been denied.
The clarification comes amid separate engagements between KwaZulu-Natal police and march organisers, who met to discuss safety and security arrangements for the planned 30 June demonstrations.
Speaking to IOL News, Metro Police spokesperson Victor Zungu said, “The March and March application was not denied, however the City requested that the organisers consider an alternative route ending at the Durban City Hall.”
This comes after March and March reportedly claimed that the City had refused aspects of its proposed march arrangements.
Zungu said law enforcement agencies, including metro police and SAPS, had engaged with organisers on Thursday to discuss safety and security arrangements, including proposed starting and ending points, which were declined by organisers.
He added that an alternative endpoint was also rejected due to safety concerns linked to unauthorised routes.
“The Durban Metro Police Service is working in collaboration with the South African Police Service and various law enforcement agencies to ensure a visible presence is maintained throughout the city and surrounding areas, including townships, business districts, major transport routes, and other key locations,” Zungu said.
He said officers remained on high alert and were prepared to respond swiftly to any incidents that may threaten public safety or infrastructure.
Residents were urged to remain calm and continue with daily activities while law enforcement monitored the situation.
The city said it remained committed to protecting lives, safeguarding infrastructure and ensuring peace and public order across eThekwini ahead of the planned demonstrations.
IOL News