National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said on Friday that two people had been killed and 16 vehicles burnt or damaged in incidents linked to marches in and around Durban, as he addressed the SAPS’s court application concerning marches and public demonstrations in KwaZulu-Natal.

“This application follows escalating incidents of violence, intimidation and destruction of property associated with marches in and around Durban. Two people have been attacked and killed, while vehicles and other property have been torched or damaged. To date, 16 vehicles have been burnt or damaged in connection with these incidents,” Masemola said at a briefing in Durban.

“We have noted documents circulating on social media suggesting that the police have approached the courts to stop people from marching. This is not the intention of our application,” Masemola said.

Masemola said the SAPS had approached the court “seeking an interim order to ensure that organisers and participants comply with the law when exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate”.

“Among the measures sought through the court application is that organisers and participants comply with the applicable laws governing public gatherings. This includes refraining from carrying dangerous weapons, concealing their identities with masks or balaclavas where prohibited by law, assaulting or killing people, and damaging vehicles, buildings and other property,” the commissioner said.

“The blocking of Home Affairs offices and the obstruction of access to public facilities are also among the concerns that need to be addressed,” Masemola said.

At the time of the briefing, Masemola said: “We are awaiting the court’s decision on this application.”

SAnews, reporting a NATJOINTS briefing on Sunday, said authorities in KwaZulu-Natal were monitoring protest-related developments, “including compliance with the recent Durban High Court interim order in the matter involving the minister of police and March and March”. SAnews did not give the order’s terms.