Follow live updates on anti-immigrant tensions currently taking place in Durban.
6.15pm –The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to the streets of Durban after violent protests brought chaos to the city, leaving police overwhelmed and businesses destroyed.
Armed soldiers are now patrolling the Durban CBD alongside members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a bid to restore order following yesterday’s unrest.
Police struggled to contain angry protesters who spread across the city, demanding the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals and an immediate halt to asylum applications.
With police outnumbered and stretched to their limits, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli called for the army to be deployed.
The protests left a trail of destruction, with shops and businesses damaged or destroyed.
At least 19 people have been arrested following the violence.
The SANDF deployment comes as authorities move to prevent further unrest and bring the situation under control
An injured man in the Durban CBD during this week’s protest.
3.30pm – KZN police have arrested a man who threatened that he and his followers would shut down Moses Mabhida Stadium to prevent the MTN8 Cup final between Orlando Pirates FC and Mamelodi Sundowns from taking place.
Police said the suspect had gathered a group of people at King Dinizulu Park with the aim of staging a march.
3pm – Following the arrests, the area around Home Affairs Durban Refugee Crisis Centre along Che Guevara Road was quiet, with a heavy police presence. A small group of protesters were in a meeting.
The aftermath in the Durban CBD yesterday involved heavy police containment, widespread business closures, and extensive property damage following Thursday’s anti-immigration riots. While the acute, active rioting and looting have ceased, tensions remain high across the inner city. A total of 14 torched vehicles remain stranded across central city streets, particularly along Anton Lembede Street and Joseph Nduli Street.
12pm – Fifteen suspects were arrested on Friday night after violent protests that engulfed the city of Durban and surrounding suburbs.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said this brings the number of arrested suspects to 19, including the four arrested on Thursday for attempted murder and discharging a firearm in public.
“The suspects will face charges of public violence and malicious property damage, with the possibility of other charges being added. The majority of the arrested suspects are students and intelligence officers, and detectives are continuing the search for those responsible for burning vehicles and buildings,” Netshiunda said.
Saturday 9am – Police are on high alert for anti-immigration protests in the Durban CBD.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said what unfolded was a crowd-management situation. “Police have a responsibility to preserve lives, to protect property, and at the same time strike a delicate balance between allowing people to exercise their constitutional right to march and enforcing the law,” he said.
Violent anti-immigration protests have erupt across Durban, leading to widespread destruction of property, looted shops, and multiple vehicles set ablaze.
9pm – KwaZulu-Natal police deployed public order management tactics, including tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets, as large crowds of protesters continue marching through the streets of Durban amid heightened tensions following Thursday’s violent anti-immigration protests.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers would continue to intervene when the situation escalated, using what they described as the minimum legal force necessary to restore order.
5:54 pm – A second-hand tyre shop operating on a vacant plot of land has been set alight. Firefighters are currently on scene.
A second-hand tyre shop has been set alilght in Durban.
5:42 pm – Hundreds of protesters are making their way to the Durban CBD.
Protestors are making their way to the Durban CBD
5: 30pm – Tensions continued to flare in Durban on Friday afternoon as a house was set alight in the Berea area.
Firefighters are currently at the scene.
It is believed angry protesters set fire to the house, believed to have been used for prostitution and drugs.
However, this has not been confirmed.
There is a heavy police presence in the area.
Nearby, a motorbike was also set alight on Clark Road in Berea.
Vaughan Reid, chairman of Umbilo CPF, described the situation as volatile.
He said protesters have been stoning cars and windows
Anti-immigration protests turned violent on Thursday as more than 10 cars were burnt in the Durban CBD.
Earlier today, Acting National Police Minister Firoz Cachalia did a walkabout in the Durban CBD.
Welcome to the IOL Sport live blog the MTN8 final showdown between defending champions Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night (kickoff 6pm).After an elongated international break, the South African domestic football scene resumes with the country's top two teams in the country competing for the first piece of silverware on offer.Pirates a gunning for a record fifth-straight trophy, while Sundowns want to win a trophy that […]
