Durban, South Africa – A profound humanitarian situation is unfolding in Durban as approximately 4,000 Malawian nationals have converged upon Sherwood Hall in Sydenham, desperately seeking voluntary repatriation to their home country. The mass gathering, which has seen numbers swell dramatically since Sunday, follows alleged threats from anti-illegal immigration groups demanding that undocumented migrants depart South Africa by a looming June 30 deadline.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) National Immigration Branch has established a facility inside Sherwood Hall, augmented by a mobile unit, to process the details of those wishing to return home. However, the sheer volume of individuals has presented significant logistical and humanitarian challenges, raising serious concerns about the welfare of the displaced.
Adam Ali, a representative of the Embassy of Malawi in South Africa, has been on the ground, expressing deep concern over the health risks inherent in housing thousands of people in an area lacking adequate water and sanitation facilities. Ali emphasised that the immediate priority was to move mainly women and children as soon as buses become available. "It's that or start opening more campsites, as we cannot keep accommodating more people here. We are now risking disease because some people have not bathed for over three days and are sharing the same toilets, and waste management has also become an issue," Ali stated, highlighting the dire conditions.
Immigration officials, who arrived on Wednesday, have been manually recording the details of Malawian nationals. This process has been described as long and tedious, with only 250 individuals having their details recorded thus far. The task is further complicated by language barriers, necessitating assistance from volunteers and Malawian nationals who are helping with translation from Chichewa, Malawi’s national language, to English. Recognising the scale of the challenge, senior DHA officials inspected the site on Thursday night and subsequently decided to deploy more resources and staff to expedite the process.
The situation has drawn the attention of various local and national stakeholders. eThekwini Ward 30 DA councillor Warren Burne noted that while efforts were underway to streamline the process, the surrounding community harboured growing concerns about the duration and resolution of the crisis. "Word is out it is a haven attracting Malawians from as far as Port Shepstone and Empangeni, and it's quite a concern," Burne explained, adding, "People behind the scenes have put in a lot of time and effort. It will take time. Everyone wants the issue to be resolved as soon as possible. There is a sense of urgency to deal with the humanitarian issue at hand." Burne also provided a stark illustration of the rapidly escalating numbers, reporting that 75 people had arrived by midnight on Sunday, increasing to 275 by Monday, approximately 500 by Tuesday, 2,500 by Wednesday, and a staggering 4,000 by Friday.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Mandla Nsele, addressed the critical issue of safety, urging anyone experiencing or witnessing acts of assault or violence to report them to the South African Police Service (SAPS). "Members of the public who feel threatened or have information relating to such incidents are encouraged to report these to their nearest police station," Nsele advised. Mayor Cyril Xaba of eThekwini also affirmed the city's readiness to facilitate the repatriation of those wishing to return home, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. The city has already provided practical support, including skip bins for litter collection and water tankers to address the immediate needs of the displaced.
Shaik Imraan Subrathie, an ANC Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, visited the site alongside Ali and Mufti Sulaiman, underscoring the political gravity of the situation. Subrathie stated that arrangements were being made to expedite the process for a better, coordinated, and seamless system. "In a crisis, we are here to provide hope and leadership and see that something is being done. We have to deal with crises as they appear. We are concerned about the living conditions in these tents and the park," he articulated, acknowledging the difficult circumstances. Officials from the South African Human Rights Commission were also present at Sherwood Park, actively gathering information regarding the unfolding situation.
The Malawian government, through a statement on Facebook, confirmed that efforts to repatriate its citizens are continuing, with the Lindela Repatriation Centre playing a role. Dr. Justin Saidi, the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malawi, affirmed that the government would continue to provide transit and consular support to Malawians displaced in South Africa. This follows earlier reports of 171 Malawians already having arrived from South Africa at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, with President Arthur Peter Mutharika expressing concern over the situation in South Africa.
Local community organisations have stepped up to provide crucial support since Sunday, sponsoring tents, mobile toilets, and food for the displaced Malawians. Despite these efforts, stacks of luggage and personal belongings can be seen outside the tents and beneath trees, watched closely by their owners. A significant concern for government officials remains how these numerous items will be accommodated onto the buses designated for repatriation. The uncertainty surrounding bus availability has been a point of anxiety, with Adam Ali noting that there was "still no confirmation of buses" as of Friday.
The situation at Sherwood Hall remains dynamic, a poignant reminder of the complex challenges surrounding migration and the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian responses. As the June 30 deadline approaches, the pressure mounts on all involved parties to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of thousands of Malawian nationals.
