What began as a protest march through the streets of Pietermaritzburg ended in bloodshed on Friday, when a 29-year-old Malawian father was chased, assaulted and killed in the Jika Joe informal settlement.
Mishack Banda died less than an hour after a woman addressed an anti-immigration gathering, alleging that her brother had been killed by Malawians. Her brief remarks, delivered to a crowd that had marched from Mayor’s Walk to City Hall, appear to have ignited a chain of events that spiralled beyond anyone’s control.
By nightfall, a young mother was grieving, a four-year-old girl had lost her father, and dozens of foreign nationals had fled their homes in fear.
From Protest to Mob
The protest, organised by March and March, moved through Pietermaritzburg’s streets with demonstrators chanting that foreign nationals should leave South Africa before 30 June.
At City Hall, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma handed the microphone to an unnamed woman, telling the crowd they needed to hear her.
Standing on a bollard, the woman addressed the demonstrators.
“I come from Masukwana Street at Jika Joe informal settlement. A few days ago, my brother was killed by Malawians, and he died in hospital,” she said.
She offered no proof that a Malawian national had killed her brother, nor did she provide any details about those allegedly responsible.
Until that point, the march had remained peaceful. But witnesses say the mood shifted abruptly after her statement. Members of the crowd decided to “visit” Jika Joe.
As protesters began dispersing, Ngobese-Zuma urged them not to go to the settlement and repeatedly declared that the march was officially over. She stated that anyone wishing to go to Jika Joe must return to their starting point and “start their own march”.
Attempts by izinduna, traditional Zulu leaders, to calm the crowd also failed.
Chaos in Jika Joe
What followed were scenes of panic in the densely populated settlement. Groups moved through narrow pathways between zinc shacks, banging on doors with sticks, chasing suspected foreign nationals and targeting foreign-owned businesses.
Residents described a sudden eruption of fear.
“We heard people screaming and running. Everybody was shouting that the protesters were attacking foreigners. People were running for their lives, and I immediately thought of the father of my child,” said Nonkanyiso Dlamini, Banda’s partner.
When the violence appeared to subside, Dlamini went in search of him. Before she reached the area where he had reportedly been hiding, neighbours delivered devastating news.
“They told me something had happened to him.”
Moments later, her worst fears were confirmed.
“They told me he was dead… he had been attacked and killed.”
A Desperate Attempt to Escape
According to witnesses, Banda fled towards a nearby stream in a desperate attempt to evade his attackers. He was caught and assaulted, suffering severe injuries to his head, face and neck.
Those who saw his body said the wounds were so extensive that they believed sharp objects may have been used.
Unable to continue running, Banda collapsed into the shallow river and died.
“I’m still in shock, and knowing that I will have to explain to my daughter what happened to her father is very sad. The injuries on his head were huge. It was like they were chopping him or something. I can’t shake off that image,” Dlamini said through tears.
“He was a good person. He was always there for us. He always helped me and our daughter. He was the one who made sure we had something to eat.
“He didn’t deserve this.”
The couple’s four-year-old daughter, who is being raised by Dlamini’s mother, shared a close bond with her father.
“I don’t know what I am going to tell her. I don’t know what I am going to do.”
Unemployed and struggling financially, Dlamini said she is overwhelmed by the uncertainty surrounding funeral arrangements.
“What I saw was not people against undocumented foreigners, but hate directed at every foreigner. It’s pure xenophobia. I fear that on 30 June, more people are going to die.”
Police Investigation and Media Threats
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a murder case has been opened and is under investigation.
Journalists covering the unrest were also threatened. A News24 reporter was shoved against a shack and ordered to delete his footage before managing to escape.
Ngobese-Zuma denied knowledge of violence occurring during her presence.
“I do condemn violence; I condemned violence when I was there, I continuously condemn violence, and that’s why there was no violence when I was there. That violence that they committed was done when I was not there. They were not going to do it front of me because it’s not something I promote,” she said.
Homes Abandoned, Families Displaced
In the aftermath, large numbers of foreign nationals fled Jika Joe and sought refuge in the abandoned Mayor’s Walk building in the city centre. The structure has become a temporary shelter for displaced families, many arriving with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Men, women and children now sleep in overcrowded conditions as authorities attempt to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
Back in Jika Joe, the scars of Friday’s violence are visible. Numerous shacks once occupied by foreign nationals stand empty, doors broken open. Foreign-owned tuck shops have been looted and stripped bare.
One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, described how the mob moved through the settlement.
“At first, we heard people screaming and running through the settlement. Some were wearing March and March regalia, some were wearing MK Party clothing, and others were carrying traditional Zulu shields. They were shouting and demanding to know where the foreign nationals were.”
She said the situation escalated rapidly.
“The mob moved from shack to shack, looking for foreign nationals.
“Some people knew exactly where foreign nationals were staying. They started kicking open doors and searching houses. When they found foreign nationals inside, they assaulted them.”
She added that criminal elements exploited the chaos.
“Once people realised that many foreigners had fled, criminals started targeting their homes and businesses. Some tuck shops were looted and stripped bare. Houses were broken into and belongings were stolen. It continued on Friday night and again on Saturday.
“Some people simply saw an opportunity to steal. They knew the owners had fled.”
Courage Amid Fear
Amid the violence, some residents intervened to protect their neighbours.
Nomvelo Khoza, a member of the community policing forum, said she saw terrified foreign nationals running towards her house.
“I saw a group of foreign nationals running towards my house. They were frightened and begging for help. Some looked like they had already been attacked.”
Khoza sheltered about 10 people in her home.
“I let them in quickly and locked the door. I told them to remain quiet.”
As groups kicked down doors nearby, she misled those searching for foreign nationals in order to protect those inside.
“It was very frightening.”
A Family Torn Apart
For Banda’s family, the loss is immeasurable. His older brother, Jackson, said he was making arrangements to return to Malawi.
“They killed my brother like a dog. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the body. Those who killed him must see what they did.”
Friday’s violence has intensified concerns about rising tensions surrounding calls by some anti-illegal immigration groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by 30 June.
In Jika Joe, fear lingers.
“What I saw on Friday leaves no doubt that on 30 June there will be riots everywhere,” said one resident. “These people marching are willing to kill.”
For Nonkanyiso Dlamini, the debate over immigration has become painfully personal. She must now find the words to explain to her daughter why her father will never come home.
