- Community members and taxi drivers took to the streets of Gqeberha on 22 October 2026
- The community and taxi operators were targeting foreign nationals accused of selling narcotics
- Protest action continued in Durban as well, where a foreign national was killed after being assaulted
Source: Facebook
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.
EASTERN CAPE — Residents and taxi drivers in Gqeberha took to the streets on 22 October 2026, driving foreign nationals from parts of the city in protests linked to allegations that migrants were selling narcotics to minors in the area.
Video footage shared on X by MDN News captured a street-level scene on a pedestrian plaza, showing people scattering as a police vehicle was present and officers responded to the unfolding disturbance.
Foreign national killed in Durban
The protests broke out on the same day that protesters once again took to the streets in Durban.
The situation turned fatal when a foreign national was killed after being assaulted by a group of protesters in the city centre. Further details surrounding the victim's identity and the specific circumstances of the attack had not been confirmed at the time of publication.
The current wave of tensions traces back to before 30 June 2026, when anti-immigrant groups marked an unofficial deadline demanding undocumented foreigners leave the country. The South African government explicitly rejected it, declaring the day normal and reaffirming that only the state holds authority to enforce immigration law.
Despite the government's position, marches took place in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town in the weeks leading up to the date, with participants frequently carrying sticks and chanting slogans targeting migrants. Foreign nationals from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria and other countries had already begun leaving or seeking repatriation in the preceding weeks amid escalating threats.
Dr Cornè Mulder addresses anti-illegal immigration protests
Briefly News reported that Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Cornè Mulder commented on the anti-illegal immigration protests in South Africa.
Dr Mulder made the remarks during a party election campaign tour in Durbanville, Cape Town, ahead of the Local Government Elections.
His comments drew sharp and divided reactions from South Africans, with some praising the stance and others criticising it.
Source: Briefly News
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