Durban refugees bussed from Durban's Che Guevara Road to Lindela Repatriation Centre
Buses are loading refugees camping outside the Durban Refugee Reception Centre to move to Lindela Repatriation Centre on Tuesday.
Over 200 documented refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania have been living outside the Durban Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road since May 22. The refugees, who are seeking assistance with their documentation and immigration-related matters, include more than 100 individuals who have agreed to be transported to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Gauteng due to the dangerous conditions on the street.
Bishop Raphael Bahebwa, a refugee leader, stated that the majority of the refugees, more than 250, have refused to go to Lindela, a location that is known for human rights abuses and poses a risk to their safety. The Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign reported that Gift of the Givers assisted in providing buses for this group, while the state has reportedly ignored their communications.
Rumors suggest a potential police action to force the remaining refugees off the site. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ambassador to South Africa, visited the site on Friday to assess the situation. Ntuli urged officials to finalize the verification and repatriation process, aiming to reintegrate those willing to return to their homes and repatriate those who have already undergone Home Affairs verification.
The occupation on Che Guevara Road violates eThekwini Metro bylaws and poses a health risk, as it is not suitable for human habitation.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
