By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
What is seen as a humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Durban’s Sherwood Hall had erupted into chaos on Wednesday with various clashes breaking out as the authorities aimed to intervene due to 10,000 Malawian nationals being displaced as they remain camped and uncertain about whether their conditions will improve.
The number of Malawians that seek to be repatriated is growing increasingly by the day as the government intends to move swiftly in finding solutions to solve this mounting crisis.
The police had fired rubber bullets at the protesting migrants as they chanted “No lindela-we want to go home!”. The Lindela Repatriation Centre is regarded as South Africa’s main holding facility for undocumented foreign nationals who are either awaiting deportation or the finalisation of their immigration status.
The problem began to erupt in early June as a small group sought safety, and now the problem has continued to escalate as the number has now grown to 10,000, this is according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.
They fled to this area due to the erupting anti-immigration violence and threats all over KZN, as well as a wave of alleged attacks and intimidation that has been targeted at foreign nationals.
“When we have 10,000 plus people here, we don’t know how many will be here tomorrow and next week. We might have more coming into this place. It is important that we expedite whatever initiative that is being done. I’m happy that already, there are trucks from Home Affairs waiting to transport some of the people here to the Lindela Repatriation Centre” said Ntuli.
“What we need to do as a government is to ensure that this does not end up being a disaster. We want to ensure that the people who are here are not adversely affected, even the people of KZN should not be affected by the presence of the large group that is here.” he continued.
“No one must discourage any efforts given to this process. We also need to play a role where it is possible to ensure we avert any crisis that might happen here.” said Ntuli.
Malawian authorities have been dispatched to South Africa in order to facilitate the repatriation of their citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malawi has confirmed that eight buses carrying 645 Malawian citizens had departed from South Africa on June 15 as part of the Voluntary Repatriation Operation.
“The repatriated individuals are expected to enter Malawi through the Mwanza border crossing on June 17 and then proceed to Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, where they will undergo the necessary checks and procedures before being transferred to their respective areas of origin.” as per a statement by the Presidency.