KwaZulu-Natal police say they used what they described as “minimum proportional force” to stop a group of protesters who allegedly attempted to march towards the Durban central business district (CBD) after 3pm, in violation of a Durban High Court order.
According to police, the group intended to march from the Department of Home Affairs’ Refugee Reception Centre towards the CBD after the time permitted for demonstrations had expired.
Police alleged that some protesters were carrying potentially dangerous objects, including sticks, and were therefore also acting contrary to the court-imposed restrictions.
The interim court order allows demonstrations between 9am and 3pm, with the period between 3pm and 4pm set aside for protesters to disperse. It also prohibits participants from carrying weapons, including sticks and knobkerries, and from engaging in violence or intimidation.
The restrictions were imposed following an application by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi amid concerns about public safety and previous unrest linked to demonstrations against illegal immigration.
Police maintain that the intervention was necessary to enforce the court order and prevent the march from proceeding outside the permitted conditions.
