Residents in Durban have raised concerns about the arrival of hundreds of foreign nationals at the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, calling for clearer rules on asylum applications and faster action on cases already being processed. The situation has led to protests outside the centre, where tensions have grown between community members and people seeking asylum.
Activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakel’umthakathi, said the protest reflects the frustration of residents who are struggling to understand how the process is being managed. He told SABC News that people living near Che Guevara Road were concerned because foreign nationals had recently been removed from the area, only for large numbers to return to the same location to apply for asylum documents.
The concerns follow an operation last month in which more than 270 people were moved to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Gauteng after discussions with Home Affairs officials. Most of those affected reportedly came from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The operation was carried out after tensions around the reception centre, and the road was cleared to allow the office to resume its normal activities.
However, the situation changed again when large numbers of foreign nationals began gathering outside the centre to submit asylum applications. Many of those seen in the queues were reportedly men from Ethiopia, Somalia and other countries.
Ndabandaba argued that Home Affairs should focus on reviewing existing cases before accepting more applications. He said residents want the department to explain how it intends to manage the growing number of people seeking asylum and ensure that those who do not qualify to remain in South Africa are dealt with according to the law.
The protest is linked to wider concerns raised by groups campaigning against undocumented migration. Ndabandaba and other members associated with the March and March movement have said they are not opposed to people who genuinely need protection. Instead, they want authorities to distinguish between individuals fleeing danger in their home countries and those seeking to enter South Africa primarily for economic opportunities.
The protesters have also called on the department to challenge a recent court decision that required reception offices to accept more applications in person. Their position is that the current process should be reviewed to prevent further pressure on immigration services.
Police officers were present to keep protesters and asylum seekers apart as Home Affairs continued processing some applications in limited numbers. Applicants were allowed into the centre in small groups under police supervision, while some nearby businesses reportedly closed early as tensions increased.
Ndabandaba said the protest would continue until residents received clearer answers and saw improvements in the handling of immigration cases.
Home Affairs has not issued a full public response to the latest demonstration. Officials have previously maintained that asylum applications must be assessed individually to determine whether applicants qualify for protection.
The situation in Durban highlights the difficulties involved in managing asylum applications while addressing public concerns about immigration. As the debate continues, the challenge for authorities will be to enforce immigration laws fairly, process applications efficiently and protect the rights of people who genuinely need refuge.