October 9, 2026 — Anti-immigrant protests in central Durban turned violent on Thursday, October 8, with vehicles burned, shops looted and one person shot, South African outlet SAPeople reports. The US Consulate General told its staff to avoid the central business district and issued a further alert on Friday.
What happened
- Where: Around Point Road and Gillespie Street in central Durban.
- Damage: At least 14 vehicles were burned and a building was set alight. One person was shot.
- US Consulate alert, October 8: Staff were told to avoid the central business district, specifically Davis Lane between Dr Pixley KaSeme Street and Monty Naicker Road.
- New alert, October 9: The consulate posted another security alert. We could not open the page, so its content is TBA.
- Airport: No effect on King Shaka International Airport is reported.
What it means for airline travelers
- Staying in Durban? Ask your hotel before walking or driving into the city centre.
- Use hotel or app-based transport to the airport and avoid routes through the central business district.
- Stay away from any crowd. Protests here turned violent quickly.
- Enroll in STEP or Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive consulate alerts directly.
Sources
- SAPeople: ‘Avoid this area’: US consulate issues another Durban security alert as building torched
- US Consulate General Durban: Security Alert, October 9, 2026 (page could not be opened)
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