The South African government has taken control of the deportation process for over 6,000 undocumented Malawian nationals.
Image: Zainul Dawood/ Independent Newspapers
Violence has broken out at the Sherwood hall in Durban on Wednesday where more than 6000 undocumented Malawian nationals have gathered after South African immigration officials began formal deportation processes.
In videos shot by Independent Newspapers photographer Doctor Ngcobo, rocks, bottles can be seen being thrown at police officers who are stationed at the site. Police have responded with firing rubber bullets and stun grenades.
According to reports from the scene, some of the Malawian nationals at the site became upset on Wednesday after some of them were taken to appear in a temporary court which has been set up at the site for the deportation process.
Last week thousands of Malawian nationals began gathering at the site after they said they were threatened and chased out of informal settlements in Sydenham. A voluntary repatriation process then commenced facilitated by Malawian authorities.
However the eThekwini Municipality said on Tuesday that the South African government has officially taken over the processing of more than 6,000 undocumented Malawian nationals at a site in Sherwood, Durban transitioning the operation into a formal deportation process after a voluntary repatriation programme stalled.
The city noted that under South African immigration laws, deportation requires each undocumented foreign nationals to be processed individually.
"This includes identity verification, the issuing of the necessary legal documentation, and appearance before a court to ensure compliance with due process and the protection of constitutional rights. Once these legal requirements have been met, deportation can proceed," the statement read.
To manage the volume of cases, one temporary court has already been established directly at the Sherwood site. Xaba is now engaging the Department of Justice to expand the site's capacity.
"Mayor Xaba is engaging the Department of Justice to establish two additional courts dedicated exclusively to processing these matters. This intervention is intended to increase capacity and expedite the handling of cases," the municipality stated.
The Department of Home Affairs has also committed to deploying additional officials to support the courts and ensure efficient processing.
The municipality confirmed that the physical removal of undocumented nationals has already begun, though thousands remain at the location.
"To date, four buses carrying deportees have departed the site en route to Malawi. Officials continue to work round the clock to process outstanding cases and facilitate the departure of six additional buses currently stationed at the site," the statement said.
Xaba reaffirmed the city's stance on ensuring that the mass deportation is handled within the framework of the law.
"Mayor Xaba reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to supporting national government departments and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the process is conducted efficiently, lawfully, and with due regard for the rights and dignity of those affected," the municipality said.
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