By Terries Twananani Hlongwani
Pretoria, 30 June 2026 — Several businesses in Sunnyside remained closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure ahead of a planned anti-immigration march through Pretoria.
The usually busy suburb was noticeably quieter, with a visible police presence and traffic restrictions affecting movement in and around the Pretoria CBD. While the situation remained calm, authorities maintained heightened security as demonstrators gathered and the march progressed.
In Sunnyside, several Somali-owned shops did not open for business, with owners choosing to remain closed amid uncertainty surrounding the demonstration and concerns over potential disruptions.
The impact of the march was also felt by the public transport sector. Taxi operators reported a significant decline in passenger numbers, affecting their daily operations and income.
One taxi queue marshal, who requested anonymity, said the demonstration had slowed business considerably.
“Marches are killing our business. Today the taxi business is too slow in Pretoria,” the queue marshal said.
At the time of publication, no major incidents had been reported. Law enforcement agencies continued to monitor the situation across Pretoria, urging residents and commuters to remain cautious, follow official traffic advisories, and avoid affected areas where possible.
Authorities have reiterated that the right to peaceful protest must be exercised within the law and warned that any acts of violence, intimidation, or damage to property will not be tolerated.
Gazatainment News will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Leave a Reply