With calm restored in Johannesburg and Pretoria following anti-illegal immigration protests that forced the closure of refugee centres, attention has shifted to Durban, where police are struggling to contain demonstrations marked by shop looting and the destruction of property. At least a dozen cars have reportedly been set alight.
Demonstrators are also attempting to mobilise support to disrupt the MTN8 Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, scheduled to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Police are working to contain the largely uncoordinated demonstrations in Durban, which have been characterised by sporadic looting and property damage.
“Our officers are on the streets ensuring public order. Those found destroying property or committing any other crimes will be arrested,” said KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda.
Meanwhile, in Pretoria, hundreds of undocumented migrants are hoping to have their status regularised when the refugee reception office reopens.
“I ran away from Somalia because my country is at war and many people are being killed. I came to South Africa seeking freedom,” said a Somali national who admitted to having been in the country illegally for years.
Many migrants were left disappointed when the Marabastad refugee reception office closed on Thursday after large numbers of people arrived, hoping to apply for asylum.
Despite the setback, many insist that returning to their home countries is not an option. They argue that South Africa has a moral responsibility to give them an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
The undocumented migrants also maintain that their presence in the country does not displace local residents.