By Norman Mwale
“We will not allow lawlessness, but we must also protect the dignity of every person.”
Tension flared in Sherwood, Durban, on Tuesday afternoon after a police operation targeting alleged undocumented foreign nationals escalated into a confrontation with a group of Malawian nationals, leaving several people injured and raising fresh questions about immigration enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal. Officers from the South African Police Service and metro police moved into the area following complaints from residents about overcrowding and illegal trading, but the raid quickly turned volatile as community members resisted arrests and accused police of heavy-handed tactics.
Witnesses said police entered several residential buildings on Sherwood Road shortly after midday, demanding identification and work permits. When a number of Malawian nationals were ordered into vans, a crowd gathered and began throwing stones, prompting officers to respond with rubber bullets and stun grenades. Video footage shared on social media showed people running through the streets as police formed a line to disperse the gathering. Paramedics treated at least seven people for minor injuries at the scene, while three individuals were arrested for public violence and obstruction.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the operation was part of a broader intelligence-driven drive to address undocumented migration and unregistered businesses. “We are duty-bound to enforce the law,” Netshiunda said. “Several undocumented foreign nationals were processed for deportation and a number of informal traders were found operating without permits. However, we condemn any use of force against police officers and we are reviewing footage to ensure that all procedures were followed correctly.”
Leaders from the Malawian community in Durban disputed the police version of events and said many of those detained had valid asylum-seeker permits. “This was not a lawful operation, it was harassment,” said Chimwemwe Phiri, chair of the Malawian Nationals Forum in KZN. “People were pulled from their homes without proper identification and children were caught in the chaos. We respect the law, but the law must also respect human dignity. We will not allow lawlessness, but we must also protect the dignity of every person.”
Sherwood residents were divided. Some welcomed the crackdown, citing pressure on housing and municipal services, while others condemned the tactics and warned that the confrontation risked fuelling xenophobic sentiment. “We have complained for months about overcrowding and illegal spaza shops,” said resident Thandeka Mhlongo. “But what we saw today was not a solution. If police want to enforce the law, they must do it without making the community feel like a war zone.”
The South African Human Rights Commission said it was monitoring the situation and would request a full report from police. “Immigration enforcement must be conducted within the bounds of the Constitution,” said KZN commissioner Busi Khumalo. “No person should be subjected to degrading treatment, and communities have the right to be protected from crime without being targeted based on nationality.”
The Department of Home Affairs reiterated that undocumented migration remained a challenge, but urged cooperation rather than confrontation. “We understand the frustrations of communities, but indiscriminate operations undermine trust,” said departmental spokesperson Siya Qoza. “Our teams are working with SAPS to ensure verification is done lawfully and that those with valid documentation are not victimised.”
By late afternoon, calm had returned to Sherwood as police withdrew and community leaders began mediation efforts. The arrests and injuries have reignited debate in KZN about migration, service delivery and policing, with both government and civil society calling for dialogue to prevent further clashes.
For Sherwood, a suburb long defined by its diversity and proximity to Durban’s industrial hub, Tuesday’s events were a stark reminder of how quickly tensions can boil over when economic pressure meets contested enforcement. As investigations continue, the challenge for authorities will be to balance the rule of law with the protection of basic rights, so that safety and dignity are not treated as opposing goals.
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