Tensions flared in Durban on Wednesday as police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters demonstrating against Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The protest was triggered by rising frustration over unemployment, alleged corruption in public offices, and concerns that undocumented migrants were taking jobs from local residents.
Many demonstrators also cited the government’s perceived failure to control crime and illegal immigration, particularly in neighborhoods they claimed were overrun by foreign nationals involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities.
The demonstrators, chanting slogans and waving placards, called for stricter immigration controls and the deportation of undocumented migrants.
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The protest was led by Operation Dudula, along with other civic and political groups, including members of ActionSA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
Authorities initially contained the crowd, preventing them from moving toward the beachfront, an area protesters alleged was rife with crime and drug activity.
However, a small faction broke away from the main march, harassing bystanders and looting shops, forcing police to act.
Many local business owners had shuttered their shops earlier to avoid potential violence.
Speaking during the demonstration, Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, criticized the government for what he described as lax immigration enforcement.
He said undocumented migrants from countries including Nigeria were taking jobs and straining public resources, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
Some protesters also highlighted concerns over corruption and law enforcement failures, alleging that bribery and weak policing worsened crime and allowed illegal immigration to flourish.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, continues to attract migrants despite an unemployment rate of around 32 percent.
Official statistics indicate that approximately three million foreign nationals, or 5.1 percent of the population, live in the country, making immigration a politically sensitive issue, particularly with local elections approaching.
The protest underscores growing frustration among South Africans over job scarcity, crime, and perceived government inaction, further highlighting the complex challenges surrounding migration and social cohesion in the country.
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