A tense atmosphere has gripped the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands town of Estcourt following sporadic looting of foreign national-owned shops on Friday. In the wake of the unrest, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, founder of the anti-illegal immigration movement March and March, has issued an urgent appeal for peace and restraint, urging residents to resist resorting to criminality despite escalating frustrations over illegal immigration.
Ngobese-Zuma, in a direct message to her supporters, emphasised the movement’s stance against violence. “I know that you are angry, but do not give our detractors an advantage by looting. Because we do not want them (undocumented immigrants), let us remove them without fighting, looting, arson or violence. This is what they want, so that they can gain sympathy and make it appear as though we are harassing them, when it is they who are causing harm in our country. I am begging you to behave,” she pleaded.
Her call for calm was swiftly echoed by prominent activist and staunch March and March supporter, Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba. Ndabandaba, who also leads the Insizwa Ngobunsizwa Development Foundation and collaborates with March and March on issues concerning undocumented immigrants, sought to allay fears surrounding the movement’s impending June 30 deadline for undocumented nationals to return home. He stressed that this date was “not an event” and should not be misconstrued as an incitement to violence, looting, or xenophobic unrest.
Ndabandaba clarified that the June 30 deadline was primarily intended to exert pressure on the government to address the pressing concerns surrounding illegal immigration, rather than to encourage forced removals. “We are not suggesting that on June 30 South Africans will demand that foreigners leave. We announced this date on December 7, 2025, giving people six months to prepare because we know they have families, investments and lives here. But they remain in the country illegally,” he explained.
The appeal for calm came after stability was restored in Estcourt following the looting of six shops owned by foreign nationals. This unrest was directly preceded by a ruling from the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday, which ordered Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor Mduduzi “Sobholenyoni” Myeza to remove social media posts related to foreign nationals. The court action was initiated by eighty-eight businesspeople in Estcourt who had filed an urgent application to gag Myeza.
Mayor Myeza has remained steadfast in his position, maintaining that undocumented foreign national shop owners should vacate the town by May 27. The businesspeople took legal action against him on May 26. Myeza addressed the media on Thursday ahead of the launch of the Social Employment Fund Initiative at Estcourt Town Hall, reiterating his stance.
In response to the escalating tensions, Acting KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba confirmed that law enforcement agencies had intensified operational planning and intelligence gathering. This proactive measure was taken amidst credible threats of road blockades and potential unrest. Makoba confirmed that police units responded to the looting of six foreign-owned shops within the Estcourt CBD. “Calm has been restored in the area and no injuries were reported. The looting is suspected to be linked to tensions arising from the recent court case involving foreign nationals and the mayor,” Makoba stated.
She further indicated that the police planned to engage with the mayor’s office as part of ongoing efforts to prevent any further outbreaks of unrest. Makoba also highlighted that the police had drawn crucial lessons from previous truck-related protests in KwaZulu-Natal, which had caused widespread disruption and significant infrastructure damage. “The province of KwaZulu-Natal still bears vivid memories of the disruptions and destruction caused by protest actions organised by the All Truck Drivers Forum,” she remarked, underscoring the police’s determination to avoid a repeat of such events.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to protest, Major General Makoba issued a stern warning that the police would act decisively against any criminal conduct. The situation in Estcourt remains volatile, with community leaders and law enforcement working to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence as the June 30 deadline approaches. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often contentious issues surrounding illegal immigration in South Africa, and the delicate balance required to maintain peace and order amidst public frustration.
