A prominent traditional council on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast has directed all foreign nationals to stop certain businesses in all areas under its jurisdiction.

The Dube Traditional Council in Mpembeni, a peri-urban area near the port city of Richards Bay, under Inkosi Mfanazonke Dube, has given the foreign nationals until 30th April this year to wrap up the selected business activities.

This is contained in a letter dated 1 April 2026, which was sent to all foreign owners running businesses in the area.

“This letter serves to inform all foreign nationals operating businesses within the KwaDube Traditional Authority that a decision has been made to discontinue the sale of specific items. As per this notice, you are required to cease the sales of the following items by 30 April 2026.

“1. Sand, 2. Blocks, Tavern or Liquor sales. Please make necessary arrangements to comply with this directive,” reads part of the letter.

The secretary of the traditional council, Nkosikhona Mkhize, confirmed that the council has issued the directive and they expect all foreign nationals to abide by it.

The council’s directive comes after, on Tuesday this week, the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands issued a formal directive to property owners in the secondary town of Estcourt to stop renting out their structures to suspected illegal immigrants to conduct business while flouting the country’s immigration laws.

The directive dated 7 April 2026 was issued after the Mayor of the IFP-run municipality, Mduduzi Myeza, late last week said that after the long Easter weekend, they would embark on an official campaign to drive out illegal immigrants from the area.