Peaceful Durban march escalates into raid on suspected drug den

FOR a few hours today (May 6), the Durban CBD from King Dinuzulu Park to the Point precinct was brought to a standstill as a peaceful march led by Phakela’mthakathi Ndaba and his warriors later escalated to the raid of a suspected drug den and the arrest of one suspect on Mahatma Gandhi Road.

The march was joined by members of the March and March movement, including leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and ActionSA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango and the party’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo, the former host of the reality TV show Sizokthola where he rooted out alleged drug dealers.

Several businesses were forced to close their doors as the regiments demonstrated against undocumented foreign nationals and the influx of drugs within the CBD and the rest of the country.

“We feel let down by South Africa’s political parties. Many seem to have drifted away from democratic values our great grandfathers fought and died for,” said Prince Ingobamakhosi Ntombela who had travelled from Empangeni to be part of the march.

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His sentiments were shared by Ngobese-Zuma whose movement, March and March, was the catalyst. She said, “We have been let down by our government which has allowed South Africa to fall into the hands of foreign nationals who are destroying the country with their drugs.

“As we continue to march, the movement is growing stronger in numbers as more people are joining the fight. We are not doing for us but for generations to come.”

Though largely peaceful, tensions flared when protesters reached 511 Mahatma Gandhi Road which is allegedly occupied by foreign nationals accused of drug dealing in Durban. A human chain was formed around the building by the regiment who demanded that law enforcement institute a search.

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Clashes broke out, leading to scenes of disorder as a motorist who was trying to flee the scene was stopped by the protesters, leading to the intervention of police.

This while controversial activist and former radio broadcaster Ngizwe Mchunu and Khumalo entered the suspected drug den with police to later emerge with a suspect in handcuffs.

By 16:00 they were still occupying the Point precinct and preparing to march back through the Durban CBD.