DURBAN – A heavy police presence has been deployed across several South African townships and business hubs today as the controversial July 31 deadline set by anti-migrant activist Phakelumthakathi for the closure of all foreign-owned shops officially arrived. The deadline, which has sparked fears of widespread civil unrest, has already seen law enforcement swing into action, with dozens of arrests reported in the early hours of Friday morning.
Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakelumthakathi, a prominent leader within the March and March movement, has been vocal in his demand that foreign nationals operating spaza shops, salons, and cash-and-carry stores must cease operations and leave local communities by today, July 31, 2026.
The deadline follows the massive nationwide demonstrations held on June 30, which saw thousands of South Africans take to the streets to demand tougher enforcement of immigration laws. While the government has called for calm and urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands, Phakelumthakathi and his supporters have remained defiant, insisting that their "unofficial deadline" must be respected.
In Durban, the heart of the March and March movement, the atmosphere remains highly charged. Reports from the ground indicate that several shops in the CBD and surrounding townships remained shuttered today as owners feared targeted attacks. In some areas, Zulu regiments affiliated with the movement were seen marching through the streets, chanting slogans and calling for the immediate removal of undocumented migrants.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that at least 69 people have been arrested in connection with the latest wave of protests. Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut stated that the arrests were made for various offences, including public violence, intimidation, and the illegal closure of businesses.
"We have intensified our deployment in identified hotspots to ensure that the rule of law is maintained," Traut said. "We will not tolerate any acts of vigilantism or the forced closure of legal business premises. Those who are found to be intimidating shop owners or participating in illegal demonstrations will face the full might of the law."
Despite the police crackdown, the March and March leadership, including founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has vowed to continue their campaign. Ngobese-Zuma, who recently survived a leadership rift following the suspension of former ally Ngizwe Mchunu, has argued that the protests are a necessary response to the government's failure to address the "malaise" of illegal immigration.
"We cannot march forever, but we will not stop until our demands are met," Ngobese-Zuma previously stated. Her movement has successfully popularised the narrative that undocumented migrants are responsible for the "dilution of South African identity" and the rising unemployment among the youth.
The July 31 deadline has also been linked to a growing secessionist sentiment within the movement. Phakelumthakathi has recently made headlines for calling for KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to become an independent state, arguing that the province should govern itself separately from the rest of South Africa. While this demand is legally impossible under the current constitution, it has added a dangerous layer of regionalism to the ongoing anti-migrant protests.
In many communities, the impact of the deadline is already being felt by ordinary residents who rely on local spaza shops for their daily needs. "We are scared," said one resident from Umlazi, who asked not to be named. "If the shops close, where will we buy bread and milk? But at the same time, we see the anger in the streets. People are tired of waiting for the government to act."
The Department of Home Affairs has attempted to de-escalate the situation by announcing a high-tech rollout of facial recognition technology at border posts, aimed at curbing identity fraud and illegal entries. However, for Phakelumthakathi and his followers, these measures are "too little, too late."
As the day progresses, the focus remains on whether the planned mass demonstrations will escalate into the widespread violence that many fear. The "Bloody Weekend" in the Western Cape, which saw 11 people killed in mass shootings just days ago, remains a haunting reminder of how quickly tension can spiral into tragedy in South Africa’s volatile social landscape.
For now, the streets of Durban and Johannesburg remain under a heavy police watch. The "war" declared by Phakelumthakathi has reached its most critical point, and the outcome of today's deadline will likely shape the country’s political and social trajectory for months to come.
Anyone with information regarding illegal acts or threats of violence is urged to contact the SAPS via the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.
