Refugees camp outside Home Affairs centre in Umbilo, Durban
Close to 300 refugees have been sleeping outside the Home Affairs refugee reception centre in Umbilo, Durban.
Bishop Raphael Bahebwa says people are fearing for their safety because of attacks on foreign nationals at their homes and workplaces that started just over two weeks ago. He says these attacks gave rise to the gathering first at the Durban Central police station and the Diakonia centre after that.
Bahebwa adds, “Most people here are refugees, not migrants and this is what we want to make clear.”
He says acting on the advice from their lawyers, the foreign nationals needed to approach the police for protection.
The Department of Home Affairs, SAPS, refugee representatives and the Southern Africa Refugee Forum are currently engaging in meetings. Foreign nationals are being asked to present their papers for formal verification to clear up status disputes.
: Jayed-Leigh Paulse pic.twitter.com/EcqRaFZpO1— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 21, 2026