DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — The Durban High Court has implemented stringent protest restrictions, placing strict conditions on upcoming marches and demonstrations following an urgent application by law enforcement. The ruling, which grants an interim interdict, aims to curb escalating tensions and address severe public safety concerns in the city.
State Advocate Nalini Governor, representing the police, informed the court that the situation on Durban Street had become unmanageable. Governor highlighted that despite the deployment of more than 400 officers in the city, law enforcement was struggling to control massive crowds, road blockages, alleged intimidation, and property damage.
The legal intervention comes in the wake of violent demonstrations earlier this month, which were sparked by a separate court ruling that eased access to asylum. During those unrests, at least 24 vehicles were set alight and numerous shops were looted. Governor emphasized that while the constitutional right to protest remains protected, it is inherently limited when demonstrations cross the line into severe disruption.
Under the newly imposed interim order, protesters are strictly prohibited from carrying weapons or sticks, covering their faces, and engaging in any form of violence, intimidation, looting, or property damage. Furthermore, all marches must adhere to designated routes and are strictly limited to the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The organizing movement has firmly denied any responsibility for the violence that has marred its demonstrations. Speaking outside the court, a spokesperson for the movement criticized the police response and the newly imposed conditions.
“If you failed to control a situation that you were supposed to control, you can’t blame us for that. You must take responsibility,” the spokesperson stated, questioning the effectiveness of the 600 officers drawn from different parts of the province. “You’re telling us that you’re failing to cope with crime, then you’re useless.”
Despite urging supporters to respect the court’s ruling and turn out in large numbers to vote in the upcoming elections, the crowd defied the time limit shortly after her address. Accompanied by a heavy police presence, demonstrators marched from the courts toward the Point area and the Durban Central Business District, continuing their protest after the court-mandated 3:00 p.m. cutoff.
The involved parties are scheduled to return to the Durban High Court on January 18 to argue for a final order regarding the demonstrations.
