Hundreds of refugees still sleeping on pavement outside Durban Home Affairs, IOL reports

According to IOL, hundreds of refugees have been living on the pavement outside Durban’s Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road for nearly two months after fleeing alleged xenophobic violence.

Living conditions and pleas for shelter

Refugees speaking to IOL described what they called unbearable living conditions and ongoing violence at the makeshift camp. Among those sleeping there is Raymond Ramsay, a 36-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“I am one of the refugees here. We have been sleeping here for nearly two months,”

“The only thing we are asking from the government is shelter. That is all,”

Ramsay said to IOL.

Fear, trauma and reports of targeted threats

Tchomba Kasongo, quoted to IOL, described the personal toll of living on the pavement and being separated from his family. He said he is married with four children and that “this life we have been living here is not nice at all.”

Kasongo also described an incident he said left him injured and ongoing fear for his safety.

“From the day I [allegedly] got shot in the leg at the Durban Central Police Station until today, I have not been feeling well. I feel like I am losing my mind,”

he told IOL.

In recordings obtained by IOL, a man warns Kasongo that his life is allegedly in danger and alleges that individuals are being paid to locate refugees or migrants.

Organisations raise alarm and warn against misinformation

According to IOL, the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign said it was deeply concerned about the refugees’ plight, alleging recognised refugees had been driven from their homes despite legal status and were left with no shelter, food or medicine.

Refugee Social Services told IOL that a circulating message claiming it was offering three months’ rental assistance was false, and warned that the misinformation had caused further difficulties for displaced people seeking help.

What those on the pavement say they need

Those sheltering on Che Guevara Road, as reported by IOL, said they were seeking temporary protection and safe accommodation rather than permanent housing as they wait for a process of reintegration.