Key Takeaways
- Scores of foreign nationals, including young children, sought refuge at the Diakonia Centre in Durban after alleged threats and violence in their communities.
- Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers provided blankets, food, water and ongoing support to the displaced families.
- Refugee Christian Kwigomba (DRC) described living in South Africa for 15 years as a barber, now feeling vulnerable with his wife and four children, including twins who had to sleep in a church.
- Wivine Bahati (DRC) refuted claims that those sheltering were undocumented, arguing that verification would risk detention for anyone without papers.
- Community leader Zamokuhle Mhlongo (Umkhonto weSizwe Party) asserted that the presence of foreigners disrupted neighbourhood safety, especially for women and children, and called for their deportation.
- Bilall Jeewa of Gift of the Givers detailed the aid distributed overnight and planned further meals, emphasizing continued assistance as the situation remains fluid.
- Khethukuthula Shangase of the South African Communist Party urged a targeted approach against undocumented individuals, warned against xenophobic backlash, and blamed systemic migration‑policy failures rather than migrants themselves.
Overview of the Shelter Situation
Following reports of threats and violence in their home communities, a large group of foreign nationals—many of them women and children—found themselves without shelter in Durban. They converged on the Diakonia Centre in the city’s centre, where they spent the night on cold concrete floors, wrapped in blankets and huddled together for warmth. The scene was marked by palpable fear and uncertainty as families waited for news of safety and assistance. Local residents observed the influx, and humanitarian actors quickly mobilised to address the immediate needs of the displaced population. The centre became a temporary haven, highlighting both the vulnerability of migrants and the solidarity of local aid groups in crisis moments.
Testimony of Christian Kwigomba
Christian Kwigomba, a refugee from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, shared his personal story with IOL. He explained that he fled the war involving the M23 rebel group and has lived in South Africa for 15 years, working as a barber to support his wife and four children. Kwigomba described the current predicament as “a very difficult situation” that has stripped him and his family of the ability to lead normal lives or provide for their children. He noted that his wife and very young twins were taken to sleep in a church in Musgrave because there was no safe space for children at the centre. His account underscored the human toll of the instability, illustrating how long‑term residents can suddenly find themselves exposed to renewed insecurity despite years of settlement and labour.
Verification Concerns Raised by Wivine Bahati
Wivine Bahati, also originally from the DRC, addressed the procedural hurdle posed by the Department of Home Affairs. She said officials had informed the group that any intervention or assistance would require verification of the legal status of those present, with names being taken to Home Affairs offices to check documentation. Bahati strongly rejected allegations that the sheltering individuals were undocumented, arguing that it would be illogical for someone without papers to present themselves for verification, as they would risk immediate detention. She questioned the fairness of demanding proof under conditions where people are already fearful and vulnerable, emphasizing that the majority of those at the centre possess valid documents and are genuine refugees seeking protection.
Community and Political Reaction
Zamokuhle Mhlongo, a member of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party, voiced strong concerns about the impact of the foreign nationals on the surrounding neighbourhood. He claimed that the presence of migrants had disrupted daily life, making residents—particularly women and children—feel unsafe to walk the streets. Mhlongo alleged that foreigners were seen moving up and down the road, consuming alcohol, and contributing to disorder. He called for urgent intervention from authorities and other stakeholders, insisting that “illegal immigrants must go back to their countries” and that the community was being abused. His remarks reflected a broader tension between humanitarian imperatives and local perceptions of safety, highlighting the politicisation of the migrant presence.
Humanitarian Assistance by Gift of the Givers
Bilall Jeewa, Community Liaison Officer for Gift of the Givers, detailed the organisation’s response. Gift of the Givers had been present at the Diakonia Centre on Wednesday and returned Thursday morning to continue support. On the first night, volunteers distributed blankets, water and hot meals, prioritising mothers, children and women. The following morning, they found the refugees still sleeping overnight and provided tea and sandwiches, with plans to deliver lunch later in the day. Jeewa stressed that aid efforts would continue as the situation remained fluid, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to meeting basic needs while longer‑term solutions are sought. The rapid mobilisation of food, shelter items and emotional support illustrated the critical role of NGOs in filling gaps left by strained state services.
Perspective from the South African Communist Party
Khethukuthula Shangase of the South African Communist Party framed the crisis as a call for balanced, solution‑focused engagement. He argued that the objective should not be to blame migrants broadly but to address those who may be undocumented, while warning that blanket hostility could fuel xenophobia. Shangase noted that most individuals at the centre are documented refugees and that criminal behaviour is not representative of the migrant population; he suggested that any criminal activity is more likely to occur in affluent areas such as Umhlanga. He placed responsibility on systemic failures—particularly deficient border control and migration management—asserting that hatred should be directed at the broken system rather than at foreigners. His remarks urged policymakers to pursue humane, evidence‑based reforms that protect both local communities and vulnerable migrants without resorting to scapegoating.