Unrest: Durban residents describe fear after scrapyard fire and alleged mob attack
Residents in Durban’s Berea area say they feared for their safety after protesters allegedly targeted foreign nationals, stormed a property and set a scrapyard alight. Police say 19 people were arrested after violent protests in and around the city.
A devastating fire in Durban's CBD has destroyed the Malawian traders' and travelers' goods stored at the Ulemu Bus warehouse. The cause of the incident has yet to be determined, with authorities investigating it as a potential arson case. Firefighters labored to control the blaze at Ismail C Meer Street, where the warehouse stood.
The warehouse belonged to the Ulemu Bus Company, which provides transportation services for foreign nationals traveling between Durban and Malawi. Additionally, the building functioned as a storage facility for Malawian nationals preparing goods for shipment to Malawi from Durban.
Malawians present at the scene expressed their dismay, digging through the wreckage for any salvageable items. One unidentified Malawian recounted losing all his possessions, including food items, clothing, and other personal belongings, to the fire. He could not speak coherently due to the trauma of the occurrence. Another Malawian, Joseph Ngomou, whose goods were meant for his family, was equally devastated.
His losses included sleeping blankets, mattresses, and clothes, with no salvageable items found in the burned structure. Ngomou even reconsidered his decision to visit home after losing his staff.
The warehouse owner announced that he was initiating an arson investigation.
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