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By Celani Sikhakhane
KZN police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi met Inkosi Malusi Zondi, Economic and Cultural Envoy representing the Zulu nation and hostel dwellers, and march leader Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba on Thursday night ahead of the 30 June protest.
All parties agreed there will be no violence, no criminality and no looting on 30 June 2026, according to a SAPS statement issued after the late-night meeting at provincial headquarters in Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi called in a Zulu nation envoy, a march organiser and a business leader for a closed meeting on Thursday night.
The talks ran into the late hours.
Mkhwanazi was joined by Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba and Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Vukani Mgobhozi. Across the table sat Inkosi Malusi Zondi, Economic and Cultural Envoy representing the Zulu nation and hostel dwellers, Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba, leader of the Insizwa Nobunsizwa movement, and Wonder Jaca, General Secretary of the Black Business Federation.
The meeting was called to prepare for the 30 June mass protest against undocumented foreign nationals.
Mkhwanazi told those in the room that police share the public’s frustration. Undocumented immigrants are in the country illegally, he said, and SAPS arrests scores of them every day. But he drew a hard line.
“No amount of crime calls for any person to be attacked or killed,” Mkhwanazi said.
“Crime will be dealt with as a crime and the law will take its course.”
He said police will not stop the marches. Officers will be present to maintain public order, not to block legitimate protest. His message to organisers was direct: preach discipline and responsible citizenship on the day.
Ndabandaba gave his assurance. He told police leadership that he leads disciplined men who follow orders.
“Our people must come first,” Ndabandaba said.
“We do not advocate for any violence against our brothers and sisters from other countries. All we want is for them to come into our country legally and for them not to feed our children drugs and commit all sorts of crimes.”
According to the SAPS statement, all parties left the meeting with a shared commitment: no violence, no criminality and no looting on 30 June and beyond.
Pictured above: The late-night meeting between KZN SAPS leadership, Zulu nation envoy Inkosi Malusi Zondi, March and March leader Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba and Black Business Federation General Secretary Wonder Jaca at SAPS Provincial Headquarters ahead of the 30 June protest.
Image source: KZNSAPS
