The police in KwaZulu-Natal have told the protesters who are demonstrating against alleged illegal immigrants in Durban that, while they have the right to protest, they must do so within the boundaries of the law.

The warning follows videos circulating on social media that show some protesters assaulting people alleged to be illegal immigrants.

As a result of the protests, nearly all shops owned by foreign nationals in the Durban city centre have been closed for the past three days.

This comes after an incident on Monday, when a group of foreign nationals, believed to be mainly Nigerians, ganged up and fought back, prompting the anti-foreign nationals group to reinforce a day later and stage a protest in a show of force, which led to the closure of the shops.

Reacting to the lawlessness that has marred the protests, the police in the province also stated that protestors cannot infringe on the rights of those who are not protesting.

“As much as it is a constitutional right to march, the rights of those marching must never infringe the rights of those who are not. No civilian has the right to search a fellow civilian and request or demand any form of identification.

“Only law enforcement officers are authorised to stop, search, and request individuals to produce documentations that permit them to be in the country,” the police said.

Furthermore, the police said intimidation is a criminal offence.

“Police have also noted that several shops, owned by both South Africans and foreign nationals, have remained closed following threats of violence from certain individuals who were part of a march. Police wish to remind residents that intimidation can constitute a criminal offence and people must refrain from threatening others.

“Assaulting another person, whether a foreign national or not, is a criminal offence and police will not standby and watch when the law is being broken. Public Order Police officers will continue to monitor marches, ensuring that there is stability, law and order,” the police added.

Police management has since announced that it will meet with the march organisers soon to reach a common understanding and provide assistance and clarity where needed.

“It is illegal for a foreigner to be in the country without proper documentation, however, only mandated law enforcement officers can arrest undocumented foreign nationals and detain them pending deportation processes,” the police added.