Tensions flare as Estcourt anti-immigration protests turn violent

Tensions around illegal immigration in KwaZulu-Natal escalated on Friday, as anti-immigration protests in Estcourt turned violent, leaving several foreign-owned shops looted and damaged.

Residents took to the streets on Friday, demanding that undocumented foreign nationals shut down their businesses and leave the country. 

The unrest forced several shop owners to flee for safety, while others say they have kept their stores closed for weeks amid fears of further attacks.

🚨 _LOOTING ALERT – ESTCOURT, KZN_ 🚨
Several shops, mostly believed to be owned by foreign nationals, looted in Estcourt, KZN Midlands.

Avoid area. Police responding. #Estcourt #KZN #KZNTraffic pic.twitter.com/ft4zdHDOBe

— SA NATIONAL TRAFFIC UPDATES (@lnnocent191535) May 29, 2026

Police suspect the unrest is linked to a recent ruling by the Pietermaritzburg High Court ordering Nkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor, Mduduzi Myeza, to retract controversial remarks targeting migrants.

38 Foreign Spaza Shop Owners Drag Estcourt Mayor Mduduzi Myeza to Pietermaritzburg High Court After Their Businesses Were Shut Down During Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants

Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality mayor Mduduzi Myeza has been taken to court by 38 foreign national… pic.twitter.com/ZbNfzD4qY8

— THE TRUTH PANTHER 🇿🇦 (@TheTruthPanther) May 27, 2026

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, has condemned the attacks on foreign nationals, warning against what he called “vigilantism disguised as patriotism.”

Speaking at the ANC Veterans League NEC meeting in Sandton, Johannesburg, Mbalula said criminality and xenophobic violence cannot be justified under the banner of fighting illegal immigration.

“The ANC condemns the harassment of migrants, the looting of spaza shops and the intimidation of vulnerable people under the cover of anti-foreigner rhetoric.”

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Acting Police Commissioner, Major General Phumele Makoba, says intelligence reports have linked a planned march scheduled for Saturday to a trucking organisation, although police were not formally notified of the protest.

She says following engagements with organisers, the group agreed to redirect its concerns towards businesses allegedly employing undocumented foreign nationals instead of qualified South Africans.

The organisation is also expected to submit a list of companies accused of exploiting undocumented migrants for cheap labour.

Makoba has warned that while people have the constitutional right to protest, police will act decisively against any violence or intimidation.

“The rights of someone who wants to march are not superior to the rights of someone who wants to go about their normal life and business. Any march that turns violent through road blockages, destruction of infrastructure or public violence calls for decisive police action.

The violence comes as the debate around illegal immigration continues to divide communities across the country and beyond.

Meanwhile, a group of 295 Ghanaian nationals chartered a flight to their home country this week amid growing safety concerns linked to ongoing anti-immigration tensions.

#sapsKZN [ACTING PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER OF KWAZULU-NATAL ADDRESSES LOOMING MARCHES OF 30 MAY 2026 AND 30 JUNE 2026]#SAPS urges all participants and organisers to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and to ensure that the marches are conducted in a peaceful and orderly… pic.twitter.com/66LECtGqc2

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 29, 2026

Escourt shops looting today, KZN trucks protest announced for KZN – N3, N2 highways closure/blockade. Someone better be ready.

— Moshabi Senwamadi (@Senwamadi) May 29, 2026