MEDIA COMMENT: LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT SECTOR COLLABORATIVE MEETING - MAY 2026

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC facilitated a collaborative meeting on Monday, 25 May 2026 with key stakeholders within the logistics transport sector, the eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cllr Cyril Xaba, Representatives from Civil society group March and March, SAPS, Dept of Labour andHome Affairs representatives. This engagement served to address the growing disruption in businessoperations caused by the employment of illegal, undocumented foreign nationals in the transportation and logistics sector, particularly within retail, and brought together leading retailers, civil society representatives, provincial government heads, and SAPS to explore collaborative solutions.  

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC condemn all forms of violence and does not support lawlessness. While illegal immigration continues to affect the economy, this adversely impacts various business sectors due to ongoing tensions regarding the unlawful employment of foreign nationals which threatens the effective running of business operations. As the voice of business, we encourage peaceful and robust dialogue to help find practical solutions to these challenges.In this context, we support full compliance with South Africa’s labour laws by all workers. Engaging withmovements such as March and March that are at the forefront of these tensions is important, to driveconstructive resolution.

During this critical engagement, CEO Ms Palesa Phili identified that businesses are at a crossroads and are currently faced with three main challenges: counterfeit goods impacting our manufacturing sector, illegal immigrants acting with impunity, and businesses being intimidated for hiring foreign nationals, we need to engage in resolving this matter through peaceful dialogue to reach workable solution and resolution, we need to abide by the South Africa labour law regulations.Ms Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, leader of March and March, clearly stated that they do not intend to cause harm. They assured that their actions are not driven by xenophobia, but rather by concerns around refugees, asylum seekers, and illegal foreign nationals given opportunities.

Mr. Xolani Zuma, March and March stated that they propose three measures: closure of borders, halting refugee immigration, and amending the Immigration Act. Their intent was clear: to protect South Africans from illegal foreign nationals, not legal foreign nationals.Ms. Neo Momodu, representing the Consumer Goods Council South Africa, assured that all members sherepresents are compliant and operate legally. She further shared that there is a My CGCSA app, aimed atprotecting consumers and legitimate businesses by scanning and identifying illicit, counterfeit, or fake retail goods, and encouraged stakeholders to make use of these measures.

Mayor Xaba called on all parties to abide by the law, noting that legislation is clear on the issue of employment. He stated that Section 38 of South Africa’s Immigration Act (Act No. 13 of 2002) makes it a criminal offence for any person to employ undocumented foreign nationals. He also warned that individuals subletting business properties to undocumented foreign nationals are breaking the law by aiding, harbouring, and abetting illegal migrants. 

In the room, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Home Affairs, the Consumer Goods Council South Africa, and the South African Police Service all showed a commitment to working together to ensure that Durban moves forward in the interests of its people. They shared the same sentiment: these challenges can only be addressed if we work together.It was further agreed by all stakeholders that there will be a follow-up meeting with the same key stakeholders to find collaborative solutions to address these challenges, criminality, and unemployment. Ms. Palesa Phili suggested leveraging tools such as the My CGCSA app to partner with communities and spaza shops to ensure its use.

Furthermore, she encouraged a local scooter drive aimed at skilling South Africans with scooter licenses and assisting them in purchasing scooters.As organised business, we believe that through such policy and advocacy interventions and facilitatingconstructive collaborations with key stakeholders, we can restore business confidence in the sector by ensuring compliance with Employment and Labour Regulations as set out by the South AfricanConstitution. Continuous stakeholder engagement is critical in maintaining fairness, peace and equality. The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC remains committed to working together with government and key stakeholders to be in business for a better world by allowing law and order to take its place and protecting the business community. 

<ENDS>About the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC

Founded in 1856, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC is the largest member-based metropolitan chamber in Southern Africa. We represent approximately 3,000 businesses in eThekwini and beyond, ranging from multinationals to corporates and SMMEs. Since 2019, we also represent 54,000 informal sector businesses through their business associations. Policy and advocacy are at the heart of our work and we assist members with securing trade and investment opportunities locally and internationally, providing business advisory services (CIPC, Certificate of Origin, ITC checks, HR consultancy and more) across a broad spectrum of sectors, engaging thought leadership through forum webinars and other networking events, sharing business information through digital platforms, and also sourcing business insights through occasional questionnaires. The Durban Chamber advocates and influences policy decisions that affect the interests of business (tax legislation, import and export regulations and more), offering member benefits and providing information relevant to business decision-making. As a business-based and member-focused organisation, our strategic purpose is to help create a conducive economic and business environment to facilitate and promote economic growth in the region in partnership with key stakeholders. For more info, contact the Durban Chamber on 031 335 1000 or info@durbanchamber.co.za Our website is www.durbanchamber.co.za

MEDIA COMMENT: LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT SECTOR COLLABORATIVE MEETING - MAY 2026