Rising tensions at Sherwood hall where Malawian nationals have been camped for more than a week has prompted the rollout of a 72-hour emergency plan by the eThekwini Municipality.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO /ANA Studio
The eThekwini Municipality has announced a raft of measures to contain the unfolding crisis in Sherwood over the next 72 hours. It is estimated that more than 6,000 Malawians are now camping out in the area after being displaced from informal settlements due to threats from local residents. A voluntary repatriation process began last week, handled by Malawian authorities, but it has since stalled due to apparent financial constraints.
The South African authorities have now started formal deportation processes which will see some of the group being moved to the old Drive-In site near the Durban beachfront. The eThekwini Municipality said it is working together with the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and other key stakeholders to implement a range of interventions within the next 72 hours.
Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba announced that the interventions are meant to stabilise the situation at the site, reduce humanitarian and public health risks, and support the ongoing processing of migrants while expediting deportation processes.
“Following the rapid increase in the number of people at this site, the municipality has activated the Drive-In site to alleviate pressure on the Sherwood site, improve conditions, and enhance the coordinated management of affected individuals.
There were clashes between police and some of the Malawian nationals on Wednesday after they hurled rocks and other objects at officers.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO /ANA Studio
“The Drive-In site is a staging area intended to serve as an overflow site, reducing overcrowding at Sherwood and fast-tracking the deportation process.” He said to ensure the safety and security of everyone, additional security personnel have been deployed at the Drive-In site, adding that SAPS will continue to maintain a strong presence at both facilities to ensure order and assist with crowd management. Police officers will also assist in verifying whether individuals scheduled for deportation have any pending criminal cases.
“The municipality has increased the number of ablution facilities and expanded waste management capacity at both sites. Water tankers have been deployed to augment water supply. The Department of Health is providing healthcare services, including ambulances and mobile clinics. We are also working to install additional lighting to improve safety and security, particularly during night-time operations.”
Xaba further noted that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has committed to establishing six additional courts dedicated exclusively to processing these matters. “This intervention is intended to increase capacity and expedite the handling of cases. The Department of Home Affairs and Legal Aid South Africa have also committed to deploying additional officials to support the courts and ensure the efficient processing of all cases. To date, 1,458 people have been deported, with 19 buses en route to Malawi.”
The municipality's intervention comes amid growing tensions that have resulted in clashes on Wednesday between police and Malawians. It was reported that Public Order Police had to deploy stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of disgruntled Malawian nationals, many of whom were refusing to be transported to the Lindela Repatriation Centre or move to the Durban beachfront.
Ratepayers in Sherwood have also demanded the government to urgently relocate the Malawians. They said the living conditions are unacceptable and the area cannot accommodate the number of people currently present.
Asad Gaffar of the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement said whatever the legal situation of the Malawians, it was important to treat them as human beings. “Some of these people were displaced from their communities and they left with just the clothes on their backs. The government must intervene to assist and ensure that these people have food and sanitation.
“The community had tried to assist by bringing food, and they realise that these people do not have anywhere to cook; it's not the public's jobs to intervene in this; the government must assist.” He said the community of Sherwood understood the challenges but had concerns. “The community is concerned mainly about two things: one is that the area is unsuitable and not conducive to accommodate human beings, and that it cannot accommodate the number of people that are there now. They want the government to intervene and address the situation as quickly as possible,” he said.
Belinda Adams, CPF chairperson for the Sherwood Sydenham subforum, said the situation is a challenge for the community. “The residents in the immediate surroundings are the most affected, as they are not able to freely access their properties, not to mention the public health and safety concerns.”
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