Delivery riders and furious locals take over the roads to demand a halt to open borders

The streets of central Durban were paralysed by a massive demonstration organised by the March and March movement. E-hailing drivers, motorbike delivery workers, and concerned locals converged to express their mounting discontent with government policies, public safety, and border controls. Workers in the gig economy and other civil society organisations in KwaZulu-Natal have banded together for a united rally, calling for more state oversight, better law enforcement, and more responsible local leadership.

Protesters wanted the federal government to halt the implementation of its planned online system for registering asylum seekers, which was set to take place on November 10. Protesters claimed that national security is at jeopardy because a digital application portal would be introduced before current administrative backlogs are cleared and vulnerable borders are secured. A number of people who took part in the discussion voiced worry that local employment and public infrastructure could be further burdened if undocumented foreign nationals could acquire legal status through automation of these procedures without adequate verification. Protesters demanded strict regulatory enforcement across all industries, open immigration patrols, and comprehensive physical audits in place of digital shortcuts.

The protest also brought attention to the economic and daily safety issues. The gig economy is rife with violent crime, platform exploitation, and unvetted operators, according to e-hailing drivers and delivery riders. They voiced concern that city centers are becoming more vulnerable to criminal activity due to institutional neglect.

Protesters addressed their economic and security concerns directly to eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, addressing them as a message to the city’s leadership. The importance of local officials enforcing municipal bylaws against illegal businesses, protecting local job markets, and preventing constant urban disruption were all emphasised by the demonstrators.

Law enforcement officials were present to control traffic and keep the demonstration from escalating as the massive procession and motorcade made their way through central Durban. The organisers of the movement stressed that the rally is a continuation of their campaign, which warns that the government will face coordinated shutdowns throughout the metropolitan area if asylum policies and regional safety concerns not addressed by November 10 go unaddressed.

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