PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL — A growing group of Zimbabwean nationals seeking refuge at a Pietermaritzburg church has been ordered to vacate the premises, leaving displaced foreigners with nowhere to turn amid a surge of localized xenophobic hostility in the region.
The group, which includes women and children, has been sheltering at a church in the Westmore Park area since Tuesday evening. They fled their residences following nationwide marches that triggered intense, door-to-door campaigns targeting foreign nationals. The crisis mirrors recent events in Sherwood, Durban, where migrants were forced to flock to places of safety after being chased from their residences.
According to a community spokesperson coordinating the relief efforts on the ground, municipal officials recently arrived at the church and issued a two-hour notice for the group to leave. However, with no alternative safe havens available, the displaced individuals remain at the sanctuary.
Targeted Intimidation and Landlord Threats
The spokesperson detailed a harrowing *modus operandi* employed by mobs and local residents. Landlords are being specifically targeted and coerced into evicting foreign tenants, regardless of their documentation status.
“Landlords have been threatened with a fine of R10,000, having their homes petrol-bombed, or facing jail time,” the spokesperson explained. “The landlords are saying they are not prepared to take that risk. Please can you leave the area.”
This intimidation has forced a mass displacement. The group at the Westmore Park church comprises individuals fleeing from areas including Peacevale, Howick, and Kwanyamazane, with some traveling up to 150 kilometers to reach the sanctuary.
Vulnerable Conditions and Security Concerns
The situation at the church has grown increasingly dire as the numbers swell. On Tuesday, the church hosted about 30 people. By Wednesday morning, the number had doubled to 60, and by Thursday morning, the group had surpassed 170 individuals.
Among the displaced are highly vulnerable infants. While an eight-day-old baby was fortunately able to leave on Tuesday, a two-month-old infant remains at the camp. The spokesperson raised severe concerns about healthcare and the potential for disease outbreaks, noting that organizations like Doctors Without Borders have yet to provide medical assistance despite ongoing promises.
Security remains a critical issue. The spokesperson recounted a harrowing incident where police vehicles from Imbali, armed with AK-47s, dropped off a woman and her three children at the church. The family had been chased with axes and spears, highlighting the extreme violence driving these displacements. Police reportedly told the shelter that they had done their part and could not offer further protection.
Documentation and Broader Regional Impact
Addressing concerns regarding the legal status of the group, the community coordinator clarified that approximately 70% of the individuals are documented. Most hold the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and have applied for relevant waivers, allowing them to legally reside, work, and open bank accounts in South Africa. However, the mobs have shown indifference to legal statuses, demanding the expulsion of all foreign nationals.
The crisis is not isolated to Westmore Park. Similar situations have been reported in Copesville, where foreign business owners and residents are being forcefully told to leave their premises.
Appeals for Intervention and Dignified Repatriation
Despite the municipal eviction notice, the community spokesperson emphasized that the Zimbabwean nationals do not wish to remain in South Africa indefinitely but are simply waiting for safe transport to return home. Many are currently in hiding, trying to retrieve their few possessions before making their way to the church.
“Our appeal is to the authorities: please find it in your hearts to allow these people to stay here while we facilitate transport,” the spokesperson urged, requesting an extension of time to repatriate the group in a “dignified and humane way.”
The camp is currently surviving on grassroots solidarity. The spokesperson expressed gratitude to donors from Phoenix Cash and Carry for providing essential supplies, including diapers, sanitary pads, wet wipes, food, and ablution facilities. Individual pastors have also stepped in to provide meals for supper and breakfast.
As the municipal deadline looms and the threat of violence persists, the displaced Zimbabwean nationals remain sheltering at the church, appealing to faith-based organizations and NGOs for food and water while they wait for a safe passage home.
