NERVOUS SYSTEM: Durban’s uneasy calm: Can the state keep a lid on violence?
While the Pirates-Sundowns MTN8 final in Durban passed without incident after two days of arson, looting and attacks linked to anti-immigrant sentiment, many worry that the calm will be short-lived and that the authorities do not have the situation under control.
Durban's uneasy calm persists despite violent protests linked to anti-immigrant sentiment, leaving many questioning whether the authorities can maintain control. The Pirates-Sundowns MTN8 final on October 10th passed without incident, offering a temporary reprieve from the two-day outbreak of arson, looting, and attacks. However, authorities acknowledge that the underlying threat may not have subsided, and there is concern over the state's capacity to prevent further violence.
KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Thami Ntuli convened an emergency cabinet meeting following the protests, where provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi addressed the gathering. The South African Police Service (SAPS) emphasized their commitment to upholding law and order, highlighting 30 arrests for public violence and unlawful protest activity. Meanwhile, the army is on high alert due to fears of xenophobic vigilantes attempting to disrupt the soccer match.
Despite assurances from SAPS, some business leaders in KwaZulu-Natal remain uneasy, recalling the R600-million spent on security during xenophobic protests in June. The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working with authorities to manage the situation, but some government leaders doubt the effectiveness of SAPS' response. Critics argue that police intelligence appears lacking, similar to the 2021 riots during former President Jacob Zuma's incarceration, and warn that election day could see renewed threats.
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