MK Party backs March and March movement in Durban Court interdict battle

The MK Party has mobilised its members to gather at the Durban High Court in support of March and March movement leaders facing an interim interdict over Durban CBD protests.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in KwaZulu-Natal has called on its members and supporters to gather in solidarity at the Durban High Court on Friday as leaders of the March and March movement are expected to appear to respond to an interim interdict restricting the group’s weekly protests in parts of the Durban CBD.

The leader of the anti-illegal migration group, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, is expected alongside other leaders.

The interdict prohibits conduct including threats, assaults and intimidation against residents, traders and the general public, along with looting, arson, property damage, forced business closures and blocking access to buildings.

The restrictions include the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre along Moore Road, which was allegedly at risk of being set alight following unconfirmed reports of plans to burn the facility.

Movement leader Ngobese-Zuma said the government will not silence the group.

In a media statement issued on Thursday, MKP provincial elections spokesperson Mkhuseli Mlengane said the party was concerned about what it views as the criminalisation of protest and the exercise of constitutional rights.

"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," the statement reads.

The party criticised what it described as an "increasingly heavy-handed response" by government under President Cyril Ramaphosa to public demonstrations, including the deployment of police and soldiers.

"Security forces must serve and protect the people, uphold the Constitution and exercise their powers lawfully and proportionately," it said.

The party said South Africans cannot be expected to remain silent when they believe grievances are not being addressed, adding that peaceful protest remains an essential democratic mechanism.

The party also questioned the allocation of public resources to "extensive security deployments during demonstrations", calling on government to account for such expenditure and to ensure policing resources are directed to fighting crime and managing unlawful immigration through lawful means.

"The government must not treat citizens exercising their constitutional rights as enemies. Instead, it must engage communities, listen to their concerns and address the underlying issues that bring people onto the streets," the statement said.

The MK Party said it would stand in solidarity with the March and March leadership but urged its members to demonstrate peacefully, responsibly and in accordance with the law.

"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 March and March leaders are scheduled to appear before the Durban High Court on Friday morning.