A group of diverse protesters holding signs advocating for justice, equality, and social change at a March and March event.
A protest by the anti-immigration group March and March blocked access to a Home Affairs refugee reception center in Durban as asylum seekers queued to apply for protection. The protest came as Home Affairs implements a directive to receive anyone who reports in person seeking asylum, following a July Constitutional Court ruling that struck down provisions penalizing irregular entry or late applications. Group leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma criticized the ruling and alleged that the change invites criminals. The protest allows March and March to publicly challenge the policy. However, it temporarily prevents asylum seekers from accessing a government service they are entitled to access. The dispute also puts pressure on Home Affairs to balance public protest with constitutional rights and administrative capacity.