KwaZulu-Natal police used rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to remove hundreds of foreign nationals who had gathered outside Durban Central police station seeking safety from anti-migrant threats.

The group, including pregnant women and children, began assembling Monday after alleged harassment by members of the March and March movement during recent anti-illegal immigrant demonstrations. They said they no longer felt safe in their communities or workplaces, with some claiming businesses had been attacked and property taken.

Police said talks with leaders failed when the crowd refused to leave the station precinct. Public Order Policing units then used “minimum proportionate force” to disperse the group of about 300 people who had blocked entrances to the station and magistrate’s court. Several injuries were reported.

After being removed, about 150 people slept outside the Diakonia Centre in central Durban, insisting they would not return home until government provided secure shelter. Spokesperson Lumo Hamadou said the group now wants UN intervention, alleging police refused to open cases against locals targeting foreigners.

The Land Party condemned the police response, saying law enforcement must protect everyone regardless of nationality and calling on the provincial government to provide urgent shelter. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers remain deployed to monitor the situation and ensure businesses and residents are not disrupted.

Tensions escalated after March and March staged protests in Durban demanding deportation of undocumented foreigners, with some demonstrators seen intimidating migrants and demanding documentation.