DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Stranded migrants at the Durban drive-in site are facing worsening humanitarian conditions after continuing to arrive at the facility in search of transport, despite the location’s official shutdown in late June. With the gates locked to new latecomers, camp leadership is urgently appealing for additional sponsors to provide buses and basic necessities for the remaining individuals.
According to a camp coordinator, a fresh wave of arrivals consisting of three different nationalities reached the area over the weekend and into Monday morning. Many of these individuals cited a complete lack of travel funds as the reason they could not leave before the closure. Fortunately, a portion of the camp has already been cleared. The coordinator noted that 70 Zimbabwean women were counted on the premises yesterday. After camp leadership communicated with Zimbabwean authorities, the government responded swiftly by dispatching repatriation buses. These nationals are currently being loaded and shifted out, leaving primarily Malawian and Mozambican migrants behind.
Transport remains the most critical hurdle for those still waiting. The camp coordinator revealed that they have formally appealed for five buses to completely clear the camp. Currently, they have received assurance for one bus, which is expected to arrive imminently to transport women and some men. Additionally, a separate organization has requested the coordinator’s contact details to discuss further assistance, heading to their office to speak with their chief operating officer. While the coordinator is hoping this new sponsor will provide three buses, they are realistically expecting one or two.
For the migrants who arrived after the closure, the situation on the ground is bleak. Because the drive-in site is officially closed, these late arrivals are barred from entering the main premises. A stranded migrant highlighted the severe lack of basic infrastructure, pleading for the provision of toilets and shelter. “We need special toilets here. Maybe if you get two, it’s enough for us,” the migrant stated, adding that shelter is also a critical necessity to protect them from the elements.
The migrant further described the grueling daily reality at the camp, noting that they have nothing to do after waking up and lack the financial means to access public bathing or toilet facilities elsewhere. They are forced to sleep on the hard ground without any bedding. “We are sleeping hard because we don’t have even a sheet, we don’t have anything to put down on the floor or just lie down on the floor,” the migrant explained.
Looking ahead, the ultimate destination for these stranded individuals is Musina in Limpopo. However, officials on the ground say they remain entirely uncertain about when this relocation process will officially conclude, leaving the remaining migrants in a state of prolonged limbo while they wait for sponsors to step forward.