Police Clash With Anti-Immigrant Protesters in South Africa
Last update: March 26, 2026
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Police in Durban used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse anti-immigrant protesters...
Police in South Africa fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters in the coastal city of Durban.
CBI News reports that the country has experienced recurring waves of anti-foreigner sentiment, which have often escalated into violent and sometimes deadly attacks on immigrants.
With local elections less than a year away, the issue has become a major political flashpoint.
The protest was driven by groups including political parties and the vigilante movement Operation Dudula, whose name means “push back” in Zulu.
Demonstrators marched through the streets carrying placards, chanting and calling for tougher action against undocumented migrants.
Police initially contained the protesters, preventing them from advancing toward the beachfront, which demonstrators claimed was plagued by drug-related crime.
However, tensions escalated when a group broke away, harassed bystanders, and looted shops, prompting security forces to intervene.
Some business owners had already shut down their shops ahead of the protest, fearing violence and looting.
Speaking at the demonstration, Herman Mashaba, leader of the ActionSA, defended the protesters’ stance.
“People can call us names but we cannot allow a situation where our country is being destroyed before our very own eyes,” he said.
“We are seeing our government allowing our country to be flooded by groups from all over the world as far as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mexico, all over the world. So we are saying to our government this is unacceptable,” he added.
Among those at the protest was 81-year-old Thembi Dlamini from Clermont, west of Durban, who expressed frustration over alleged corruption and job losses.
“I have seen my country going down because officials take bribes to give documents illegally, police allow drug trade because they are paid,” she said.
“Jobs are being taken away by our brothers from other parts of Africa who are here illegally. Where will our children get jobs?”
South Africa remains a key destination for migrants seeking employment, despite its unemployment rate hovering around 32 percent.
The competition for limited job opportunities has continued to fuel resentment among many citizens.
