Police minister and KZN commissioner seek urgent interdict against March and March protests

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have approached the Durban High Court on an urgent basis to seek an interdict against March and March and its members from holding protests in parts of eThekwini Municipality.

Court papers seen and reviewed by Kurrently indicate that the applicants want the matter heard urgently on Friday, 30 October 2026, at 10:00.

March and March is listed as the first respondent, while its leader, Jacinta Zinhle Ngobese-Zuma, is the second respondent. Xolani Zuma is listed as the third respondent, with seven other respondents named in the application.

Police seek to restrict protests across eThekwini

The court application seeks an order restricting the respondents from organising, mobilising or participating in March and March marches, processions and protest convoys within eThekwini Municipality.

The proposed restrictions specifically include Durban’s central business district and Che Guevara Road, formerly known as Moore Road, in Berea, where the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre is situated.

The applicants are also seeking to prevent the deployment of separate or splinter groups from the encampment on Che Guevara Road.

According to the court papers, the applicants want the restrictions to remain in place until a date determined by the court, unless the court varies or discharges the order earlier.

Application also targets alleged unlawful conduct

The papers further seek to prohibit the respondents, in connection with the protests, from committing, encouraging or knowingly assisting acts including assault, threats, intimidation and harassment of members of the public.

The proposed order also addresses looting, arson, damage to public or private property, attacks on the Home Affairs premises and attempts to force businesses to close.

Other conduct targeted by the application includes blocking entrances or exits and using threats or intimidation to prevent people from accessing or leaving buildings and premises.

The applicants are seeking the relief under the Regulation of Gatherings Act 205 of 1993, as amended.

Court to consider urgency

The application asks the court to hear the matter under the urgent procedure provided for in Rule 6(12) of the Uniform Rules of Court.

It also seeks a rule nisi, which would call on the respondents to show cause why the requested relief should not be confirmed. The court would determine whether to grant the order and what restrictions, if any, should apply.

The application itself does not mean that the requested restrictions have already been granted. The court is scheduled to consider the matter on Friday, 30 October 2026.

The outcome will determine whether March and March and the other respondents face the proposed restrictions on protests in the affected areas.