The Department of Home Affairs is verifying the details of a group of foreign nationals camped outside the Diakonia Refugee Centre in Durban’s CBD as they continue to seek government protection.
The group has spent three days outside the centre, saying they fear for their safety ahead of a planned national shutdown targeting undocumented foreigners on 30 June. The action is expected to be led by the March and March movement.
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The developments follow a meeting involving acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Phumelele Makoba, representatives of the stranded group and Home Affairs officials.
During the meeting, it was agreed that immigration officers would engage with concerns raised by the foreign nationals, including claims that permit renewals have been delayed.
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Members of the group said they have renewal applications in hand but have not yet received assistance from the department.
They argue that the delays highlight the slow pace of processing at Home Affairs and have contributed to growing uncertainty over their legal status.
The group maintains that fears surrounding the planned shutdown have intensified anxiety among foreign nationals living in the city.
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As the situation continues, humanitarian organisations have arrived at the site to provide food assistance to those camped outside the refugee centre.
At the same time, government departments are preparing formal administrative processes linked to the group’s concerns and immigration status verification.
Officials have not yet indicated how long the vetting process will take or what further interventions may follow.
