Documented refugee dies of TB after months living on Durban pavement, leaders say

According to IOL, a documented refugee has died of tuberculosis after living for more than three months on a pavement outside the Durban Refugee Reception Centre, amid claims his treatment was disrupted while living rough.

Death of Bienvenue Munga

According to IOL, Bienvenue Munga died on Monday after allegedly struggling to follow his TB treatment while staying with hundreds of other refugees on Che Guevara Road (old Moore Road).

Refugees’ account of how they came to be on the pavement

According to IOL, refugee leadership said Munga had been among hundreds who have lived on the street since May 22 after they were forced from their homes by groups they described as “fascist mobs”.

According to IOL, about 500 people initially sought sanctuary outside the centre, but that number has since fallen to around 250 as some allegedly fled to other parts of the country in search of safety.

Allegations of disrupted treatment and unmet needs

According to IOL, the group claimed they initially approached police for protection but were allegedly instead subjected to attacks and document checks, and that promises of safe accommodation were not fulfilled.

According to IOL, refugee leaders said people on chronic medication had struggled to take their treatment correctly because some medication needed to be taken with food, and that non-governmental groups and other supporters supplied food while the state failed to provide basics including water, food, sanitary pads, medication and blankets.

Disagreement over accommodation options

According to IOL, refugee leadership has strongly opposed being moved to the Lindela Repatriation Centre, describing it as a “violent and corrupt prison” where people are taken before deportation.

According to IOL, in what the refugees described as a desperate decision, 105 people have allegedly agreed to go to Lindela, while the remaining refugees said they would stay on Che Guevara Road because they could neither return to their countries of origin nor to the communities from which they claimed they had been expelled.

Official response recorded by IOL

The article records that the Department of Home Affairs has previously said the government encouraged the group to return to the communities where they lived before occupying the area outside the Refugee Reception Centre, and that accommodation at Lindela had been offered but declined. The Department said it would not develop a separate reintegration programme for those who had declined the options presented to them.

Calls from refugee leaders

According to IOL, the refugee leadership said they are remaining on Che Guevara Road with a clear demand that the state keep its promise to ensure safe places to live, and they have issued an urgent appeal for support from organisations and individuals.