Durban (eThekwini) Mayor Cyril Xaba has called on South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, to urgently intervene and relocate foreign nationals currently camping outside the Home Affairs office in Durban.
Context
This follows recent tensions and anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa, including Durban. Foreign nationals (mainly from countries like Ethiopia, Burundi, DRC, and Nigeria) had been sheltering at the Diakonia Centre in the CBD after clashes and fears of xenophobic violence.
- Earlier in May 2026, the municipality arranged buses to move around 300 of them to a refugee reception centre on Moore Road for processing by Home Affairs.
- Most were verified as legally documented (only one reported illegal arrest in some updates), and Mayor Xaba urged communities to accept them back while calling for protection.
- The city also announced plans for a voluntary repatriation support office for those wanting to return home legally.
Latest Development
Mayor Xaba’s spokesperson stated that the municipality lacks facilities for long-term accommodation, especially with ongoing challenges like housing flood victims. They cannot leave people on the streets without basic services, citing human rights concerns. The mayor offered municipal transport and Metro Police support for a safe relocation to facilities that the national Department of Home Affairs should identify and manage.
This reflects a common tension in South African cities: local governments managing immediate humanitarian and public order issues while pushing national government (Home Affairs) to handle immigration processing, documentation, and long-term solutions.
The situation is fluid amid broader national debates on immigration enforcement, border control, and community frustrations over undocumented migrants, crime links (perceived or real), and resource strain. Xaba’s approach balances calls for law enforcement on illegals with protection for verified legal residents.
