MK Party Rallies Behind March and March Movement in Durban Court Case

Durban High Court Sees MK Party Support for Protest Leaders

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has called on its members to gather outside the Durban High Court in a show of solidarity with leaders of the March and March movement, who are facing an interim interdict over ongoing protests in the city’s central business district. The legal proceedings come amid government concerns about recent demonstrations, particularly those focused on issues of illegal migration in the area.

Protest Leaders Face Interim Interdict

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the movement, is expected to appear in court along with other members. The interim interdict was put in place due to protests impacting parts of Durban’s CBD. The order prohibits a range of actions, including:

• Threats, assaults, and intimidation against residents, traders, and the public
• Acts of looting, arson, property damage, and forced business closures
• Blockage of access to buildings, including the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Moore Road

There were unconfirmed reports that the Refugee Reception Centre risked being set alight, which contributed to the implementation of these court restrictions.

MK Party Defends Right to Protest

The MKP has voiced strong criticism regarding the current legal and governmental response to the protests. In a statement, Mkhuseli Mlengane, the party’s provincial elections spokesperson, expressed concern about what the MKP sees as the criminalisation of public protest and the exercise of constitutional rights in South Africa.

“The legal proceedings have raised serious concerns about the exercise of citizens’ constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate and express their grievances peacefully. MKP maintains that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic freedom that must be protected, not undermined.”

According to the statement, recent actions taken by the government are viewed as increasingly heavy-handed, including the deployment of police and soldiers during public demonstrations. The MKP stressed that security forces have a duty to serve and protect citizens while upholding constitutional values.

Peaceful Protest Urged Amid Security Concerns

The party urged its supporters to keep demonstrations peaceful, responsible, and lawful. The MKP statement emphasised:

“The struggle for constitutional rights, dignity and accountability must never be criminalised. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party stands with the people and defends their right to be heard.”

The MKP called attention to how extensive security deployments during demonstrations impact public resources, suggesting more focus is needed on addressing unlawful immigration through proper legal means and combating crime, rather than policing protests.

Concerns were raised about government authorities treating citizens who exercise their rights as adversaries. The party called on officials to engage directly with communities to address public concerns rather than stifle dissent.

Constitutional Rights and the Role of Protest

The legal battle in Durban touches on a wider issue regarding the balance between state security and the constitutional right to protest. Public demonstrations are widely regarded as a key democratic tool for bringing attention to unresolved grievances and calling authorities to account. The outcome of this court case may influence how similar protests are managed throughout the country.

Significance Moving Forward

The March and March leaders are scheduled to appear in the Durban High Court on Friday morning. The larger public debate around protest rights and governmental accountability remains front and centre, while the MK Party continues to pledge solidarity with groups seeking to express their views through peaceful demonstration.