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The Mpophomeni Shopping Centre in Howick remained closed on Tuesday as a precaution ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations targeting illegal foreign nationals, while most businesses in the Howick CBD shut their doors.

Despite heightened police and private security visibility across the town, Howick remained calm, with no incidents reported or planned protest in town.

In Mpophomeni, the shopping centre was closed, with members of the Mpophomeni Community Policing Forum (CPF) standing guard outside the gate.

Residents who were unaware of the closure were turned away after walking long distances to access essential goods.

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Centre management said the decision to close was taken to prioritise the safety of shoppers, tenants and staff amid heightened tensions.

“As a precautionary measure and for the safety of our customers, tenants and staff, the mall will remain closed. Your safety is our priority,”

The closure comes as concerns grow over potential unrest linked to the demonstrations, particularly in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Meanwhile, the uMngeni Municipality said it had not received any formal notification or applications for protests in the area, raising concerns about the legality of any action that may take place.

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In a security update issued on Monday evening, the municipality warned that any protest not complying with legal requirements would be regarded as unprotected under South African law.

While reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest, uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas stressed that unlawful conduct would not be tolerated.

“The municipality fully respects every person’s constitutional right to protest peacefully and within the framework of the law. At the same time, we will not tolerate unlawful conduct, including violence, intimidation, damage to property, or any actions that threaten the safety of our communities,”

He also cautioned against illegal activities related to immigration and urged all residents, employers and foreign nationals to comply with the law.

Authorities, including SAPS, CPF and private security partners, have been placed on high alert and are prepared to respond to any incidents.

In a joint community safety update, SAPS and the Howick CPF reassured residents that the situation remains stable, with no known threats or incidents reported.

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Our role players continue to work closely together, maintaining a visible presence and monitoring the situation around the clock.

“At this stage, it remains business as usual. There are no known threats to our community, and there have been no incidents that warrant concern,”

Residents were encouraged to continue with normal daily activities but remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour, intimidation, or unusual activity to authorities.

The CPF and SAPS also issued a strong warning against the spread of misinformation, urging the public not to circulate unverified information on social media, saying it creates unnecessary fear and undermines emergency services.

Municipal services continue as normal, and residents were urged to rely only on official communication channels for updates.