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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has continued its strategic intervention programme following the Virtual Human Rights Imbizo convened on 25 May 2026, on migration-related tensions and service-delivery concerns. 

As part of these interventions, the Commission met with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal and several United Nations agencies to strengthen coordinated responses aimed at protecting human rights, restoring public order, and promoting social cohesion. 

On 28 May 2026, the Commission held a bilateral meeting with the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in KZN. The engagement with SAPS was in appreciation of SAPS’ role as the primary entity responsible for preventing and combating crime, enforcing the law and ensuring public safety. Following incidents of violence and intimidation related to some recent anti-non-national marches in the province, as well as concerns raised at the Imbizo related to allegations of widespread lawlessness, including human trafficking, drug sale, and hijacking of buildings, the Commission wished to obtain the perspective of SAPS's and efforts to address these concerns. 

During the engagement, SAPS indicated that law enforcement agencies continued to maintain high visibility in identified hotspot areas through coordinated deployments and integrated operational planning. The engagement highlighted collaboration with various government departments, including the Departments of Home Affairs, Employment and Labour, and Human Settlements, as part of efforts to address underlying community grievances and broader socio-economic tensions. SAPS further outlined its plan for implementing a multidisciplinary 'Operation Gijima' aimed at fast-tracking service delivery and enforcing municipal bylaws across Durban and surrounding areas. SAPS reported that the operation had already yielded positive operational outcomes.

While acknowledging the constitutional rights to protest and express political views, the Commission and SAPS expressed concern regarding the risks posed by hate speech, incitement, intimidation and unlawful conduct. The meeting underscored the importance of early intervention strategies, institutional preparedness, intelligence-led operations, public order enforcement guided by law, public education, and intergovernmental cooperation in preventing instability and protecting constitutional democracy.

The meeting also considered possible legal interventions to prevent unlawful conduct and ensure peaceful protest. The Commission and SAPS emphasised that nationality verification, immigration law enforcement, and labour inspection are the purview of lawful, authorised state institutions. No individual or organisation may unlawfully compel any person or group to leave the Republic. The Commission is proactively assessing the level of state preparedness and identifying possible institutional gaps to prevent further instability and escalation of tensions. The institutions further stressed the importance of ongoing commitment, cooperation, and information-sharing to promote social cohesion, maintain public order, and protect human rights.

On 27 May 2026, the Commission also held a similar bilateral engagement with the United Nations Agencies to discuss concerns related to increasing anti-migrant mobilization and other organized actions, as well as heightened volatility and early indicators of possible widespread unrest. The engagement was aimed at assessing the evolving human rights situation in some parts of the country concerning and strengthening coordination and collaboration across critical role-players to respond to rising tensions affecting migrants, refugees, and vulnerable communities.  The meeting also sought to explore pragmatic preventative measures considering the said 30 June deadline.

The meeting resolved to work in a better coordinated matter to adequately respond to the impending human rights crisis.  The Commission condemns criminal acts such as hate crime, harassment, and attacks on individuals, destruction of infrastructure, and direct disruption of economic ecosystems and livelihoods. 

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission