BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Police Fire Stun Grenades and Rubber Bullets to Disperse March and March Protesters in Durban
Public Order Police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse March and March protesters on Che Guevara Road in Umbilo on Tuesday afternoon after protesters allegedly threw stones at officers.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner’s office, the group left gazebos opposite the Home Affairs offices shortly after 15:00 and began marching.
Police stopped them and reminded them of an interim court order prohibiting marches after 15:00, the carrying of dangerous weapons and the wearing of masks or face coverings.
Police said some protesters were carrying sticks and covering their faces. The group allegedly became violent and started throwing stones at officers. Police then used what they described as minimum proportional force to disperse the crowd.
No injuries were reported to police.
Investigations are underway into possible violations of the court order and alleged assaults on police officers.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding the March and March movement’s protests near the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Umbilo, where asylum seekers and refugees have been camping. The Durban High Court previously granted an interim order restricting the group’s marches, the carrying of weapons and the wearing of face coverings.