A crisis on Durban's doorstep: Fresh unrest reported as thousands remain stranded at Sherwood Hall.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO
A volatile humanitarian crisis unfolding at Durban's Sherwood Hall spilled into fresh chaos on Wednesday with clashes breaking out and police forced to intervene as thousands of displaced Malawian nationals remain camped at the site amid growing frustration, uncertainty and deteriorating conditions.
"No Lindela - we want to go home," the migrants chanted as they ran down the streets while police allegedly fired stun grenades and rubber bullets.
The Lindela Repatriation Centre is South Africa's primary holding facility for undocumented foreign nationals who are awaiting deportation or the finalisation of their immigration status.
This began in early June as a small group seeking safety has rapidly grown into a sprawling encampment of over 10,000 people, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.
Many of the Malawians started arriving after fleeing alleged anti-immigration violence and threats in different parts of KwaZulu-Natal, particularly amid a wave of alleged attacks and intimidation targeting foreign nationals.
Clashes erupt as Malawian nationals protest at Durban's Sherwood Hall
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ANA Studio
Malawians protesting in Sherwood
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ANA Studio
As tensions rise at Durban's Sherwood Hall, clashes break out between police and thousands of displaced Malawian nationals, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ANA Studio
The numbers surged within days, from a few dozen to several thousand as word spread that repatriation assistance was being coordinated at the site.
"All I see is pain here," a man who wished to be anonymous told IOL. There are pregnant women, kids living in this filth. All they want is to go home. What is so difficult about that?"
eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, together with representatives from the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development and Home Affairs, are expected to brief the media on the latest interventions aimed at fast-tracking the deportation of undocumented Malawian nationals currently camping in Sherwood.
Democratic Alliance Provincial Leader Sithembiso Ngema, DA Constituency MP Dianne Kohler Barnard, DA Constituency Chairperson Zoe Solomon, Ward Councillor Warren Burne and DA eThekwini Caucus Leader-Thabani Mthethwa will also visit the area.
IOL reached out to the police for comment.
IOL