Documented and undocumented foreign nationals are currently displaced across eThekwini (Durban) following threats and protests from armed local groups demanding they leave the country.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
· The first batch of displaced Malawian nationals began arriving at the Sherwood Hall grounds after fleeing anti-immigration threats and violence in Clare Estate and surrounding areas.
· By Sunday night, approximately 75 people were at the site.
· Around 180 immigrants had arrived lunchtime.
· By Monday afternoon, the count had risen to approximately 275 people.
· The numbers at Sherwood Hall grew to 500 people.
· The number of immigrants surged dramatically to an estimated 2,500 people.
· The Department of Home Affairs immigration officials arrived and began documenting people manually.
· The numbers grew to 3,975.
· Registration and documentation continued and Home Affairs moved processing into rooms beneath the hall and increased resources.
· Officials had documented only about 250 people by this stage because the process was slow and required language translation assistance.
· An inter-ministerial delegation visited the site. Visitors included:
· Meetings were held with national, provincial and local officials to co-ordinate repatriation.
· By now it was estimated that between 4,000 to 6,000 people were on site.
· Community leaders reported the number as still climbing.
· Home Affairs increased staffing from about five officials to 35 to accelerate documentation.
· Authorities announced that seven buses had been secured for repatriation.
· Buses were expected, but paperwork and permit issues delayed departures.
· Officials confirmed that seven buses were on their way, and that women and children would be prioritised for the first departures.
· Repatriation finally began.
· Eight buses arrived at Sherwood Hall.
· The first departures consisted mainly of women and children.
· The first four buses departed at 2pm with 341 people. At 5pm, the remaining four buses departed with 280 people.
· Repatriation and documentation operations continued.
· Officials indicated that many more buses would still be required because thousands still remained at the site.
· Another eight buses are expected to leave.