Durban mayor urges urgent relocation for foreign nationals camping outside Home Affairs

Mayor asks national government to step in as foreign nationals camp outside Durban Home Affairs

Durban eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has called for urgent national intervention after scores of foreign nationals camped outside the Home Affairs office in Durban’s central business district following anti‑immigrant protests on Tuesday.

Who is affected and why

The city reported that many foreign nationals, including refugees and children reportedly chased out of their homes, gathered at the Durban Central Police Station and later camped outside the Home Affairs processing hub as they sought protection and verification.

Hundreds of foreign nationals in Durban were verified by Home Affairs, but many refused to return home because of safety fears, leading to prolonged temporary camps outside processing centres.

Mayor’s request and the municipality’s limits

According to the Citizen, Xaba’s spokesperson, Mluleki Mntungwa, said the mayor has called on the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, to urgently intervene to resolve the situation by securing suitable temporary accommodation for those currently camping outside the Home Affairs office in Durban.

As reported by the Citizen, the mayor emphasised that the municipality does not have facilities to accommodate them and that they cannot be allowed to remain on the streets without access to basic necessities.

The municipality offered support for relocation logistics: the city said it stands ready to provide transport and Metro Police assistance to facilitate the safe and orderly relocation of those affected to facilities identified by the minister.

Pressure on city resources

As the Citizen noted, Xaba said eThekwini continues to face mounting pressure on municipal resources as a disaster‑prone city, particularly while securing permanent accommodation for flood victims who remain in temporary emergency facilities across the city.

Wider context

Violent anti‑immigration protests have taken place in KwaZulu‑Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape in recent months. In Durban’s CBD this week, civil organisations, political parties and a lobby group called March and March led an anti‑illegal immigration protest that contributed to the chaos and displacement.

Separately, African ambassadors announced a boycott of South Africa’s official Africa Day celebrations in Moruleng, North West, citing fears for the safety of foreign nationals amid a surge in anti‑immigrant militancy.

What happens next

The mayor has urged national authorities to identify suitable temporary accommodation for those displaced and to tighten controls in immigration offices to address fraud and ensure permits go to deserving asylum seekers.