The March and March movement, which protests against illegal immigration, must suspend its demonstrations in Durban until after the municipal election on 4 November. When marches resume, strict restrictions will apply to when and how the movement may protest.
The High Court in Durban granted the interim order on Friday 30 October after police approached the court citing concerns about violence and disruption during previous protests.
According to the court order, the movement must cease its protests until 6 November. When marches resume, they may only take place between 10:00 and 15:00.
Protesters may not carry weapons, including sticks and knobkerries, or cover their faces with masks. Violence, looting and damage to property are prohibited.
The urgent application was brought by acting police minister Firoz Cachalia and KwaZulu-Natal's police commissioner, lieutenant general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
According to police, previous protests caused disruption. The authorities also expressed concern about an alleged threat to set fire to the Department of Home Affairs' refugee reception centre in Durban.
Police submitted in court papers that officials struggle to manage the large crowds. According to the authorities, approximately 400 officials have been deployed to monitor the protests.
March and March's legal representative, Xolani Zuma, said after the ruling that the court did not grant police's request to ban the movement's marches entirely.
March and March argues that government is not doing enough to combat illegal immigration and that its members have the constitutional right to protest peacefully.
Government previously confirmed that it has engaged with civil organisations, including March and March, on immigration management.
The interim court order does not mean that the movement or its leaders have already been found guilty of the violence that police reference.
The case is expected to return to court on 18 January 2027, when further arguments on a final order will be heard.
Sources: The Witness; South African Police Service; South African government.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
