Durban – Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested a foreign national accused of assaulting a police officer with a stone during a confrontation between people taking part in a march and foreign nationals camping outside the Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road in Umbilo, Durban.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon, 3 September 2026, when about 100 people took part in what they described as a “clean-up campaign” targeting the belongings of foreign nationals camping outside the Home Affairs offices.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the action escalated into a physical confrontation, prompting police to intervene.
“Police had sufficient deployment and intervened to restore order,” SAPS said in a statement.
During the confrontation, stones were thrown and one struck a police officer.
“During the commotion, stones were thrown around, and one, which was thrown by a foreign national, landed on a police officer,” police said.
SAPS said officers used force to bring the situation under control.
“Police had to use minimum crowd management proportional force to manage the situation, and calm has been restored,” the statement said.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear in court once the necessary processes have been completed.
“The arrested suspect will appear in court after all processes have been completed,” SAPS said.
Police are also investigating possible public violence and whether anyone may have incited the confrontation.
“Investigations are ongoing, and should anyone be found to have incited violence, they will face the might of the law,” SAPS said.
The incident comes amid tensions surrounding foreign nationals camping outside Home Affairs offices in Durban, with the latest confrontation highlighting the potential for clashes between protesters and those affected by their actions.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
