DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL – Tensions have escalated in Sherwood, Durban, following a clash between police and a large group of Malawian nationals and other migrants, resulting in the deployment of stun grenades. The incident occurred as thousands of foreign nationals await repatriation at the Sherwood Hall, highlighting the severe strain on local infrastructure and the slow pace of the ongoing deportation process.
The Clash and Misunderstanding
The confrontation unfolded when police attempted to manage the crowds outside the Sherwood Hall, ultimately using stun grenades to disperse the group. Authorities later clarified that the clash stemmed from a misunderstanding. A segment of the migrants, believing they were about to be arrested, began obstructing traffic and throwing branches and glass. In response, police deployed stun grenades to force the large group off the road.
Following a meeting aimed at quelling the unrest, the situation on the ground has since stabilized, though the underlying pressures remain.
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
For more than a week, the Sherwood Hall has served as a makeshift refuge for an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 Malawian nationals and migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These individuals fled their respective communities amid alleged threats from groups protesting against undocumented foreign nationals—a volatile situation mirroring the unrest previously documented at the Diakonia Centre.
Conditions at the transit site have rapidly deteriorated. Severe overcrowding and mounting sanitation issues have stretched disaster management teams to their limits. In response to the growing humanitarian need, organizations such as Gift of the Givers, alongside local community members, have actively stepped in to provide essential relief, including blankets, mattresses, baby formula, and hot meals.
Repatriation Efforts and Legal Processing
While buses from Malawi have been arriving to transport migrants back to the capital city of Lilongwe, the volume of transport remains insufficient for the growing numbers. Consequently, the pace of repatriation is moving much slower than anticipated, and the number of people seeking refuge continues to grow.
To manage the complex legal logistics, a specialized virtual priority court linked directly to the Durban Magistrate’s Court has been established. This initiative allows magistrates to process immigration cases and issue formal deportation orders remotely, avoiding the logistical nightmare of transporting massive numbers of detainees through the city.
According to a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs, 1,876 individuals have been processed at the site so far. A spokesperson for the Department noted that the vast majority of these individuals lacked valid immigration status, citing expired permits, invalid visas, or completely undocumented statuses.
Political Context and Next Steps
The unrest on the ground comes in the wake of broader national conversations surrounding migration. Addressing the nation recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that migrants should not be used as scapegoats. The President noted that the core issues surrounding migration are deeply rooted in the systemic challenges faced by South Africans themselves, rather than being solely the fault of foreign nationals.
Looking ahead, authorities are formulating plans to relocate the group from the overwhelmed Sherwood Hall to the Tills Crescent Sports Grounds, located approximately three kilometers away. At the new facility, officials intend to separate men, women, and children, and conduct further processing to bring order and dignity to the increasingly untenable camp.
