19 arrested in Durban anti-undocumented immigration protests

More than 19 people have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property following violent anti-undocumented immigration protests which erupted in Durban over the past two days.

Police and security companies are currently patrolling the streets in the CBD after violence and looting on Friday.

IMMIGRATION PROTESTS | A South African businesswoman in Durban CBD, who owns a salon and laundry business and employs about 22 people, says she is devastated after her businesses were broken into, looted and set alight.

She says several televisions were stolen as tensions continue to escalate in the city centre. — SABC News (@SABCNews) October 9, 2026 A march against undocumented migrants descended into violence after some residents in the Point area threw stones at the marchers.

Provincial police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says they have made several arrests, but it is still early days and they are collecting stats as to how many they’ve arrested.

“Because we’ve arrested in different parts of the province, different parts of Durban as well.

So at least more than 19 of them, mostly are students, no surprise because saw the numbers on the ground they were young people, most of them.

They are arrested for public violence and malicious property damage.

We are going to see if there are additional charges for those.” VIDEO | Immigration Crisis | Chaos erupts in Durban