PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL — More than 170 Zimbabwean nationals are currently sheltering inside a Pietermaritzburg church in the Westmore Park suburb, having fled their homes following a wave of targeted intimidation and mob violence across the region. The displaced group, which includes numerous women and children, says they have been left with absolutely nowhere else to go after local authorities ordered them to vacate the religious sanctuary.
The crisis echoes similar displacement events recently seen in Sherwood, Durban, where migrants were forced to seek safety in public spaces after being chased from their residences.
A Coordinated Campaign of Intimidation
According to a local community coordinator acting as a spokesperson for the displaced group, the exodus began on Tuesday evening in the immediate aftermath of nationwide marches. Once the marches concluded, mobs launched aggressive door-to-door campaigns specifically targeting landlords.
The spokesperson detailed a harrowing *modus operandi* used to force the evictions. Landlords are being threatened with severe consequences, including R10,000 fines, having their properties petrol-bombed, or facing jail time if they continue to harbor individuals of foreign origin.
Fearing for their safety and property, landlords have been instructing all foreign tenants to leave immediately, regardless of their legal status. This coordinated pressure has forced residents to flee from areas including Peacevale, Howick, and Kwanyamazane. Others have travelled up to 150 kilometers to reach the relative safety of the church.
Municipal Eviction Notices and Swelling Numbers
The situation at the Westmore Park church has deteriorated rapidly as the influx of displaced persons continues. On Tuesday before noon, the church was hosting approximately 30 individuals. By Wednesday morning, that number had doubled to 60. By Thursday morning, the congregation had swelled to over 170 people.
Adding to the distress, municipal officials reportedly visited the church and issued a strict two-hour notice for the group to vacate the premises. With no alternative safe havens available, the group has remained at the property, pleading for an extension.
Extreme Violence and Vulnerable Conditions
The security situation remains highly volatile. The community spokesperson recounted a terrifying incident involving police officers from Imbali who arrived at the church in two vehicles, armed with AK-47 rifles. The officers had intercepted a woman and her three children who were actively being hunted with axes and spears. After dropping the traumatized family at the church, the police reportedly stated that they had done their part and could no longer offer protection.
Inside the church, the humanitarian conditions are growing dire, particularly for the most vulnerable. While an eight-day-old infant was fortunately able to depart on Tuesday, a two-month-old baby remains at the camp. The spokesperson expressed deep concern over the children’s welfare and the high risk of disease outbreaks in the crowded camp. Despite ongoing promises, medical organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have yet to arrive to provide necessary healthcare.
Documentation Ignored in the Exodus
Addressing the legal status of the displaced, the spokesperson clarified that approximately 70% of the individuals sheltering at the church are fully documented. The majority hold Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) and have successfully applied for relevant waivers, granting them the legal right to reside, work, and open bank accounts in South Africa.
However, the mobs carrying out the evictions have shown total disregard for legal documentation, demanding the expulsion of all foreign nationals regardless of their immigration status.
Grassroots Support and Appeals for Safe Repatriation
Despite the municipal eviction order, the displaced Zimbabwean nationals are not seeking to remain in the country indefinitely; they are simply waiting for safe transport to return home. Many are still in hiding, attempting to retrieve their meager possessions before making the journey to the church.
“Our appeal is to the authorities: please find it in your hearts to allow these people to stay here,” the spokesperson urged, requesting an extension of time to coordinate transport and repatriate the group in a dignified and humane manner.
In the absence of formal government assistance, the camp is being sustained by grassroots solidarity. The spokesperson expressed gratitude to donors from Phoenix Cash and Carry, who provided essential supplies including diapers, sanitary pads, wet wipes, food, and ablution facilities. Additionally, individual pastors have stepped in to provide meals, organizing supper and breakfast for the camp.
The crisis extends beyond Westmore Park. Similar anti-foreigner pressures have been reported in Copesville, where business owners and residents are being forcefully told to vacate the areas, suggesting a widespread and escalating regional emergency.