Newcastle’s CBD and Industrial Area came under sustained police monitoring this week as two coordinated protest marches unfolded across town, drawing attention to community concerns over undocumented foreign nationals, informal trading regulation, and alleged drug-related activity.
The first march began on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, when participants gathered at Newcastle Taxi City before moving through the CBD towards the park on Hospital Street.
The demonstration formed part of a structured campaign led by the same organising group, with grievances focused on enforcement capacity, public safety, informal trading regulation, and perceived gaps in addressing illegal activity in Newcastle.
The second march followed on Wednesday, with participants gathering at the corner of Marconi and Albert Wessels Drive before moving through the Industrial Area towards the open space opposite All Wear.
Although the two marches followed different routes, organisers maintained the same message across both days. They stressed that the demonstrations were not intended to provoke fear or instability, but were instead a lawful way to raise concerns affecting residents, traders and businesses.
Their demands included improved community safety, stronger action against crime affecting young people, clearer regulation of informal trading, and fair opportunity for lawful traders operating in Newcastle.
Earlier reporting by Newcastillian News noted that initial plans to shut down the town stemmed from concerns over what organisers described as insufficient enforcement of informal trading regulations. Within this broader set of grievances, organisers have alleged that certain traders are involved in the sale of illegal substances, while others are operating without proper registration.
At the same time, compliant informal traders are reportedly suffering financial losses due to weak regulatory oversight, while legitimate businesses are also being drawn into broader public suspicion around unlawful activity. Concerns relating to municipal governance and enforcement practices have also formed part of the group’s wider complaint.
However, while the original plans centred on a shutdown, the action was later redirected towards awareness and peaceful public mobilisation.
Furthermore, as the marches progressed, law enforcement maintained a visible presence across both routes, with officers deployed to manage movement and ensure public order.
Speaking anonymously, a police official said the first day remained largely stable, despite isolated moments of tension.
“The protestors have caused no issues and the march has remained relatively peaceful, although there were a few tense moments. This includes a group of women running through a local arcade and screaming ‘F$#@ off!’ to some of the foreign national businesses. A group of elderly women who were part of the protest also witnessed a suspected drug deal, and they slapped the man who proceeded to run away,” the official said.
Authorities, however, indicated that the incidents did not escalate to a point requiring the march to be stopped. A traffic official also confirmed that the situation remained contained, with monitoring continuing as a precaution.
“They have not given any reason for the protest action to be stopped, but officials will continue monitoring the situation, just in case tensions and tempers flare up,” the official said.
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The second march, held in the Industrial Area, proceeded under the same organising leadership and structure.
Participants moved through the industrial routes before concluding along the same corridor. However, the change in location introduced a heightened sense of caution among parts of the local business community.
Organiser Lebo Ngwenya told Newcastillian News that maintaining discipline across both days was important to protect the credibility of the march, particularly in sensitive industrial areas.
At the same time, he raised concern over reports that some factories had taken precautionary measures ahead of the procession.
“We are ensuring the march remains peaceful, as we do not want to jeopardise our message not being heard due to unruly behaviour. However, when we started gathering in the Industrial area, we were notified that certain factories had sent all foreign nationals home and locked up their property. The question is, why do they feel they need to send people home and lock up their premises if they have nothing to hide? People are becoming angry, and we need to resolve this issue before it gets worse,” Ngwenya said.
Providing further background, Ngwenya previously explained that community frustrations were first formally escalated in 2025 through a large march to the municipality and the submission of a memorandum of demands.
Those grievances included filth in the CBD, informal traders allegedly blocking roads and shop access in violation of bylaws, non-payment of registration fees and taxes, and alleged involvement by some undocumented foreign nationals in drug sales, including to children.
He stressed that the campaign was not intended to target people based on nationality.
“We are not driving a xenophobic agenda. The march will be peaceful, and everyone is welcome,” he said.
On the ground, a security guard stationed at a factory on Gutenberg Street said businesses were not necessarily alarmed by the march itself, but had taken precautionary steps because of the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
“People are a bit scared with everything going on, and this is just a safety measure for in case,” he said.
By the conclusion of both marches, no major incidents had been reported. However, the demonstrations highlighted long-standing grievances and exposed growing mistrust within parts of Newcastle’s business and trading environment.
The coming weeks are likely to place added pressure on local authorities, law enforcement and municipal officials to respond to concerns around bylaw enforcement, informal trading regulation and alleged drug-related activity.
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While this week’s demonstrations remained peaceful and controlled, the message was clear: community frustration is growing, and residents want visible action before tensions escalate.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know below.
The march should also come to townships where most of the Somalian shops are doggy in terms of selling fake goods even drugs…the Landlords for these tuckshops should also be questioned in terms of renting illegal immigrants and allowing them to open informal businesses in their premises while there are thousands of youth who are unemployed and they can do the same businesses…informal trading is not a scarce job in South Africa.
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phansi ngizikaizwa
The march should also come to townships where most of the Somalian shops are doggy in terms of selling fake goods even drugs…the Landlords for these tuckshops should also be questioned in terms of renting illegal immigrants and allowing them to open informal businesses in their premises while there are thousands of youth who are unemployed and they can do the same businesses…informal trading is not a scarce job in South Africa.