DURBAN – The Department of Home Affairs is set to begin verifying the documents of foreign nationals who have taken shelter at the Diakonia Centre in Durban, after fleeing their homes amid fears of violence linked to anti-immigration marches.
Hundreds of foreign nationals have been sleeping on the streets since Monday, claiming they were threatened and intimidated following demonstrations by the anti-illegal immigration group March and March.
Many initially sought refuge outside the Durban Central Police Station, spending a second night in the cold. However, violent scenes unfolded when police chased them from that location on Tuesday. The group has since moved to the Diakonia Centre.
Speaking from the centre, one displaced individual described the experience: “It’s my first time experiencing this and I don’t know. I just feel like I don’t know if it’s the government or it’s the people that I grew up with… I feel that there is hatred for us somewhere out there, whether it’s hatred or not wanting us to be amongst themselves.”
They said life has not been the same since the anti-immigration marches began. Another individual added: “We are not safe to go back there in our working places. They come, they always come and attack us… they will just come and ask you when are you going home… it doesn’t matter they will start beating you with those sticks that they have.”
Hundreds gathered at the centre to register their names for help, even as those calling for their departure also showed up at the scene.
The Red Cross and the Gift of the Givers Foundation are offering support, particularly for women and children. A spokesperson for one of the aid organizations said: “We’re just going to make sure how many women and children there are, mainly to see what sort of support they require because they’ve been here for about a day or two. Once we’ve assessed what the needs are, then we’ll be able to take it further and facilitate support.”
Community leaders say they are cooperating with authorities. A provincial manager stated that the minister instructed him that before protection from police could be arranged, officials needed to know the status of those sheltering. “Are we legal or illegal? And we said that according to our knowledge, we are not associating ourselves with any undocumented person.”
For many of those gathered, leaving the area would be a life risk. They are hoping the tension can subside so they can return to their community.
