• Of nearly 460 foreign nationals processed, only one was found to be in the country illegally and arrested.
• Migrants claimed anti-immigration groups forced them from their homes and sought police protection.
• Some foreign nationals fled during the verification process while tensions erupted outside the centre.

eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba says only one of nearly 460 foreign nationals processed by authorities on Thursday was found to be in the country illegally and subsequently arrested, while the Department of Home Affairs’ KwaZulu-Natal manager said, of the foreign nationals who underwent a verification process, only two were found to be without valid documentation.

Xaba was speaking outside the Diakonia Centre in the Durban CBD at around 15:00, where a heavy police presence dominated the surrounding streets as authorities coordinated the transfer of foreign nationals to the Department of Home Affairs offices in Umbilo for verification of their documentation and legal status.

However, the police in the province have not confirmed any arrests or detentions, stating they would provide an update once the operation was completed.

Xaba urged communities to show tolerance towards documented foreign nationals, while maintaining that those found to be in the country illegally should be arrested and deported.

“Ours is to accept the facts and accept them into our communities. They must go back and get reintegrated into our communities. We must accept them as people who are in the country lawfully,” he told the media.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika at the Durban Refugee Reception Centre at around 19:00, the Department of Home Affairs’ KwaZulu-Natal manager, Cyril Mncwabe, said 459 foreign nationals underwent a verification process, with only two found to be without valid documentation.

“One of the two had their application rejected. Once an application is rejected, the person no longer has a valid permit,” he added.

Mncwabe said the individual was arrested and would face charges for contravening the Immigration Act.

“The other person was found to have a fraudulent permit,” he added.

The group of migrants has been staying at the centre for the past two days after more than 500 of them gathered outside the Durban Central police station earlier this week seeking shelter and protection.

They claimed they were forced from their homes by anti-immigration groups and accused KwaZulu-Natal police of failing to provide adequate protection.

During the relocation, some migrants were sceptical about the process and decided to flee rather than board the buses the city provided for them.

Police officers formed cordons around buses arriving at the centre while the foreign nationals, many carrying small bags and blankets, waited under tight security.

Tensions briefly flared when some foreign nationals attempted to flee upon seeing the buses, fearing their documents would be scrutinised and that they could face deportation.

Several were seen running through nearby streets and alleys before being pursued by police officers.

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Members of the March and March movement, along with supporters of political organisations including the MK Party, gathered outside the centre, singing anti-immigration songs and slogans as the operation unfolded.

Some residents joined in pursuing those attempting to evade the process, detaining them and handing them over to the police.

Earlier, the police dispersed the crowd using rubber bullets and stun grenades.

Xaba and several councillors remained on site throughout the operation to monitor developments.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) confirmed it would, from Thursday, conduct a targeted verification process of all foreign nationals to determine their legal status in the country.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said this followed an engagement between the Southern African Refugee Forum, which represents the foreign nationals, and senior officials of Natjoints represented by the Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement authorities in the province.

He added that the operation would be led by an integrated team involving the departments of home affairs, social development and transport, and law enforcement in the province.

Netshiunda said:

“This process will be conducted with the integrated team of Natjoints to ensure that we attend to all the issues associated with this illegal occupation of the centre.”

He added that those found to be in the country illegally would be processed to their countries of origin immediately.

Attacks 

Meanwhile, Netshiunda said the police in eThekwini were following up on various allegations of assault against foreign nationals, who were among this group, and other cases reported relating to intimidation, malicious damage to property, and closure of businesses.

Acting KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Major General Phumelela Makoba added that all cases reported would be duly investigated.

The integrated team assured members of the public, who were concerned about the turn of events, that the situation would be “resolved as a matter of urgency”.

Police efforts

Natjoints sought to highlight its efforts to deal with illegal immigration through various operations, including Operation Shanela.

According to the police, since 1 January, they have arrested 29 731 undocumented foreign nationals during various high-density operations conducted nationwide.

In the previous financial year, a 76 588 were arrested.

Natjoints reported that the Department of Home Affairs had deported 59 814 undocumented foreign nationals in the past financial year.

“These operations are intelligence-driven and are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the laws of our country,” it said in a statement.

“Natjoints remains committed to maintaining law and order, safeguarding the country’s borders, and ensuring that all persons within South Africa comply with immigration laws.”

Earlier, fear and tension gripped foreign nationals who resisted being moved to a Home Affairs facility for processing.

The situation escalated when buses arrived to transport the group to a refugee reception centre, where authorities said their legal status in South Africa would be assessed. While some complied and boarded, others attempted to flee, running from officers as the buses were loaded.

Said one woman who refused to board, clutching her belongings:

Another foreign national told News24 that many in the group were undocumented, but said he was not worried about his own status.

“I am not scared. My papers are fine, but yes, many don’t have papers. Some never had them, some can’t renew them. I think those running know it’s over for them,” he said.

“They know they will be arrested and sent back. Who would want to go back to DRC? That’s why they’re scared,” he added while waiting to be escorted onto a bus.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information and the number of undocumented foreign nationals.