DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Refugees and asylum seekers who have been camping outside the Home Affairs office in Durban are being relocated to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Gauteng. The coordinated move involves transporting hundreds of foreign nationals by bus, following months of safety concerns that previously forced scores of individuals to flee local communities.
A Home Affairs department spokesperson, Stephen van Neel, confirmed the operational details as the relocation process began between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. to ensure a smooth transition. While initial estimates placed the number of foreign nationals at around 300, recent engagements and roll calls refined the official list to 282 individuals.
“We are moving 278 people this morning,” Stephan van Neel stated. He explained that four individuals from the refined list are unable to travel: a mother and child due to medical reasons, and two individuals currently in custody related to an incident that occurred a few weeks ago.
The relocation effort specifically targets individuals who have been on the department’s engagement list since the encampment situation began in May of this year. Authorities clarified that individuals who recently arrived and attempted to add their names to the manifest on the morning of the move will not be transported. Instead, they have been instructed to report to the local center separately for processing, as the department is prioritizing those who have been dealing with the issues from the onset.
Law enforcement agencies maintain a heavy presence in the area to facilitate the departure and ensure the precinct is completely cleared by the end of the day. The spokesperson emphasized that the municipality will be expected to continue enforcing local bylaws to prevent future street encampments once the area is cleaned.
Addressing concerns about the destination, van Neel clarified that the Lindela Repatriation Centre is intended strictly as a temporary transit area. “The intention is not to keep them there for an extended period,” he noted, adding that the majority of the group holds legal refugee or asylum status. Upon arrival, individuals are expected to make their own arrangements to reintegrate into communities, either returning to KwaZulu-Natal when they feel safe or relocating to other provinces.
The group being relocated represents seven different countries. According to the Home Affairs department, the largest contingent is from Congo and Burundi, alongside five individuals from Uganda, and one individual each from Mozambique and Ghana. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safe and orderly completion of the transit operation.
