South African Police Seek Court Order to Halt Anti-Immigration Marches
Authorities cite concerns over violence, including a fatal incident and planned destruction of property, as they ask courts to ban planned demonstrations in Durban.
South African police have petitioned the courts to prevent anti-illegal immigration groups from holding planned marches in the coastal city of Durban. The police action comes amid concerns about alleged threats of violence, including intentions to set fire to a refugee reception office.
The application to block the marches follows recent violent incidents at similar demonstrations, one of which resulted in the death of a foreign national last week. The KwaZulu-Natal High Court has granted an interim order against the demonstrators and will decide on Friday whether to make it permanent.
Some African nations have begun repatriating their citizens in the wake of the unrest. In certain instances, protesters have issued unofficial ultimatums for undocumented foreigners to depart the country. Earlier this month, protests related to a court ruling that eased access to asylum turned violent, leading to the torching of at least 24 vehicles and looting of shops.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a leader of one of the groups planning marches, has criticized the government and police, viewing their actions as an attempt to suppress dissent. In response to the escalating tensions, the government has deployed over 500 soldiers to the KwaZulu-Natal province.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence, asserting that law enforcement will act against those breaking the law. "There are those who are exploiting public sentiment around illegal migration to stir up communities and to provide cover for criminality," Ramaphosa stated on Wednesday during a meeting with businesspeople in KwaZulu-Natal.
The issue of illegal immigration has become a significant topic in the campaign leading up to local elections next week in South Africa.