Following engagements with March and March and various stakeholders, eThekwini resolved to block the June 30 anti-illegal immigration protest.
The March and March Movement has vowed to proceed with its planned June 30 demonstration in eThekwini despite the eThekwini Municipality having denied the organisation permission for the protest, citing security concerns.
Following engagements with March and March and various stakeholders, eThekwini resolved to block the June 30 anti-illegal immigration protest.
March and March Movement leader Jacinta MaNgobese-Zuma, who accused the municipality of attempting to undermine citizens’ constitutional right to protest, confirmed that the municipality informed the organisation that it will not be issuing it the permit to demonstrate within the City.
According to Ngobese-Zuma, the municipality’s decision was communicated following a Section 4 consultation meeting involving representatives of the movement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and eThekwini Metro Police. A Section 4 consultation meeting requires authorities and organisers to discuss the arrangements for a planned march, protest or gathering.
“After sitting in our Section 4 meeting, the City of eThekwini has refused us the right to protest on the 30th of June, citing a security threat,” Ngobese-Zuma said.
This, she said, was despite the fact that protest organisers had fully cooperated with authorities and even agreed to alter proposed routes following recommendations from law enforcement agencies.
“We accepted and accommodated these rerouting proposals in good faith, demonstrating full cooperation and compliance with the consultation process,” she said.
Despite these engagements, Ngobese-Zuma said, the organisers were informed that City Manager Musa Mbhele had refused authorisation for the gathering on the grounds that it posed a national security threat.
The movement has questioned both the legal basis of the decision and the process followed by the municipality.
Ngobese-Zuma said no written reasons had been provided, with authorities also not furnishing the organisation with any security assessment to justify the refusal.
In correspondence addressed to municipal officials, the movement said the right to assemble, demonstrate and present petitions is protected under Section 17 of the Constitution and cannot be limited without lawful justification.
The organisation has demanded written reasons for the decision and copies of any reports relied upon by the municipality.
However, even as it awaits a response, the movement has made it clear that it intends to proceed with the demonstration.
“In the absence of a lawful written prohibition founded upon the applicable legislative framework, our position is that the gathering remains scheduled to proceed on 30 June 2026,” she said.
cc: witness.co.za