Malawian Nationals Clash With Police in Durban As Protest Turns Violent Outside Sherwood Hall

• Malawian nationals and members of the South African Police Service clashed outside the Sherwood Hall grounds in Durban
• Malawian nationals, who are camped at the site ahead of repatriation, were protesting in the Durban Central Business District
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the chaos that erupted, sharing mixed reactions to the incident

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

KWAZULU-NATAL – Chaos has broken out outside the Sherwood Hall grounds as Malawian nationals clashed with police officers.

More than 6,000 Malawians nationals have been camped outside the hall in Durban as they await repatriation. The Malawian government is working to repatriate the nationals ahead of 30 June 2026, which is the deadline given to undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

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Tensions have been high at the camp recently, after Ngizwe Mchunu and members of March and March visited the area, sparking anger among the Malawian nationals.

Police fire stun grenades to quell violence in Durban

On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, violence erupted in the area as Malawian nationals clashed with police officers during a protest. The angry foreign nationals threw stones at officers, resulting in police setting off stun grenades to quell the violence. Rubber bullets were also fired at the crowds in an effort to disperse them.

South Africans weigh in on the chaos

Social media users weighed in on the protests and subsequent violence, sharing varied reactions to it.

Makubung Okah Caswell said:

“And if they were South Africans, you were going to use live ammunition.”

Sbusiso SakaNkambule noted:

“They were crying for protection, but now they are fighting those who must protect them.”

Lloyd Mfeka exclaimed:

“They are now fighting with the police? Aibo.”

Luu De Vick suggested:

“They should use that same energy and fight their government to make their situation better at home.”

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Kevin Kock noted:

“They wouldn't dare try to stage a protest in their own countries.”

Bopape Moshibudi stated:

“This looks like a ticking time bomb.”

Andile Magwala asked:

“Why are they throwing stones at my police?”

Abdoulaye Dieng claimed:

“March and March provoked them, and they fought back.”

Motheo Mothibi stated:

“We really need the SANDF to be deployed as soon as possible to handle this situation, especially since these people are protesting in another country. It’s important to address this promptly for everyone's safety and well-being.”

Shirley Debekazi Mruquli urged:

"They must just use the same energy to protest when they get home."

Angry Malawians clash with Ngizwe Mchunu

Briefly News reported that the South African Police Service was on high alert after Ngizwe Mchunu and March and March members sparked anger.

Mchunu, March and March members were present at the Sherwood Hall site, where Malawians were camped out ahead of repatriation.

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South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the comments by Malawian nationals and the actions of Mchunu.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News