SAHRC won't stop EFF march in Phoenix
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it won't stop the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from exercising its political right to protest.
It was reacting to a letter written by the Democratic Alliance (DA), asking it to stop the march to Phoenix, north of Durban.
Some 36 people died in the area during the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.
Some have described the events in the area as a racially motivated massacre.
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The EFF in eThekwini says it will march to the local police station to remind officers of their constitutional duties.
Commissioner Chris Nissen says the commission will not stop the march.
"The KZN office has received the DA request to stop the march, but our view is that the right to protest and the right to march is in the constitution and unless there is evidence that seeks to show that there are malicious intents, then the security forces and law enforcement must take its cause.
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"And if anybody breaking the rule must be dealt with by the law enforcement.
"However, also, we have seen that today's march is [a] march for unity and peace and that we welcome that. In terms of the law, we can't interdict unless there is really serious intention, but the law must take its cause if anybody is racist towards anybody."
Nissen says the commission will investigate if the march enflames racial tensions.
"We appreciate the concerns and the fact that the DA has approached the commission. However, if anybody is fuelling any racial tensions, the human rights commission will have to investigate that.
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"The law enforcement is now in Phoenix and they are going to maintain order."
