Durban man arrested for threatening Moses Mabhida Stadium blockade

A man has been arrested by KwaZulu-Natal police following threats to block entry to Moses Mabhida Stadium during the MTN8 Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The suspect, identified as activist Shinga Shitaf, allegedly gathered a group at King Dinizulu Park in Durban with the intention of staging a march to protest government policies. Shitaf had demanded that the Constitutional Court overturn a specific decision and that the government provide timelines for the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals. He had warned that the match would be boycotted and stadium access blocked if these conditions were not met.

The arrest occurs amid a period of heightened tension and violent anti-immigration protests in Durban. Recent unrest has resulted in 19 arrests and significant property damage, including torched vehicles and burnt houses. While police confirmed that the MTN8 final will proceed as planned and that security measures are in place to protect spectators, they warned that anyone attempting to protest on routes leading to the stadium will face legal action.