Foreign Nationals at the Diakonia Centre: Fear, Protection, and South Africa’s Immigration Debate

Durban’s Humanitarian Flashpoint

The Diakonia Centre in Durban has become an unexpected symbol of South Africa’s escalating tensions around immigration, safety, and law enforcement. Over recent days, hundreds of foreign nationals — many including women and children — gathered in and around Durban’s central districts seeking protection after reporting intimidation and threats linked to anti-immigrant protests.

What began as a security concern quickly evolved into a broader national debate about undocumented migration, xenophobia, law enforcement, and the responsibilities of the South African state.

The situation intensified after large groups of migrants sought refuge outside Durban Central Police Station, claiming they feared attacks in communities where anti-immigrant demonstrations had grown increasingly hostile. After police dispersed crowds gathered at the station, many migrants reportedly spent nights outside the Diakonia Centre with nowhere else to go.

The developments have once again placed Durban and KwaZulu-Natal at the center of South Africa’s ongoing immigration tensions.

Why the Diakonia Centre Became a Refuge Point

The Diakonia Centre, long associated with humanitarian and social justice work in Durban, emerged as a temporary refuge during the unfolding crisis. Migrants arriving there described fleeing threats, intimidation, and fears of violence amid growing anti-foreigner activism.

Reports indicated that many had been warned to leave South Africa before June 30 or risk consequences. Some said notices appeared in communities demanding that foreign nationals surrender businesses and leave the country.

After police moved crowds away from Durban Central Police Station, displaced migrants were left uncertain about where to sleep, leading many to remain outside the Diakonia Centre overnight.

The scenes echoed previous periods of xenophobic violence in South Africa, particularly the major outbreaks of 2008, 2015, and 2019, when thousands of migrants sought shelter in churches, police stations, and temporary camps.

Home Affairs Verification Reveals Surprising Numbers

One of the most significant developments came from the Department of Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, which conducted immigration verification processes on migrants seeking protection.

According to KZN Home Affairs spokesperson Cyril Mncwabe, officials processed 457 migrants and discovered that only two individuals were in South Africa illegally.

“We have verified about 457 people today, only 2 were found to be in the country illegally,” Mncwabe said.

The first case involved an individual allegedly carrying a fraudulent permit, while the second person had previously received a rejection letter regarding a permit application.

“Once you have received a rejection when you have made an application for a permit, that means you do not qualify to be in South Africa, you must find a way out of the country.”

Both individuals were arrested. The findings challenged assumptions that large groups gathered at shelters or police stations were overwhelmingly undocumented migrants.

The verification outcome also highlighted the complexity of South Africa’s migration system, where refugees, asylum seekers, legal permit holders, and undocumented migrants often become grouped together in public discourse.

Mashatile Condemns “Mob Justice”

Deputy President Paul Mashatile entered the debate during a National Assembly session, calling for immigration enforcement to apply equally to all foreign nationals rather than targeting Africans specifically.

“Our law enforcement agencies must use the law to deal with people who come into the country. And it must not just be a focus on Africans. Anybody who’s coming into our country illegally, the security forces must enforce the law,” Mashatile said.

Mashatile also strongly criticized vigilante behavior and anti-immigrant violence.

“On the issue of vigilante groups, I addressed a meeting of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) this morning before I came here and did condemn that,” he stated.

His remarks came amid rising pressure on government to balance immigration enforcement with constitutional protections and human rights obligations.

A Country Facing Economic and Social Pressure

South Africa’s immigration debate is deeply intertwined with broader socioeconomic challenges.

The country continues to struggle with high unemployment, economic inequality, and service delivery frustrations. Human Rights Watch recently noted that worsening economic conditions and unemployment exceeding 43 percent have contributed to rising anti-immigrant activism and the emergence of vigilante-style groups.

Organizations such as “March and March” have organized demonstrations in cities including Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, demanding stricter immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented migrants.

Critics, however, warn that these protests increasingly blur the line between lawful activism and intimidation campaigns targeting migrants regardless of legal status.

The South African Police Service has repeatedly emphasized that civilians cannot legally demand identification documents from others or forcibly remove foreigners from communities.

The Human Reality Behind the Headlines

For many migrants gathered near the Diakonia Centre and police stations, the crisis is not merely political — it is deeply personal.

Some individuals told journalists they had lived in South Africa for more than two decades and considered the country their home. Others operated small businesses in Durban before recent tensions disrupted their livelihoods.

“We are human,” one foreign national reportedly shouted during a confrontation with police outside Durban Central Police Station.

Several asylum seekers explained that returning to their countries of origin was not a viable option because they had fled war, political instability, or persecution.

Many spent nights outdoors in cold conditions while uncertain whether authorities would provide longer-term accommodation or protection.

Images from Durban showed families surrounded by bags, blankets, and limited belongings — scenes that resembled earlier waves of displacement during previous xenophobic violence.

South Africa’s Long Struggle With Xenophobia

The events surrounding the Diakonia Centre are part of a longer national pattern.

South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence since 2008, when attacks killed more than 60 people and displaced tens of thousands.

Further violence occurred in 2015, 2019, and during 2021–2022, often targeting African migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Malawi, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Human rights organizations argue that migrants — especially undocumented individuals and asylum seekers — frequently become scapegoats during periods of economic hardship.

Groups advocating for migrant rights have long warned that inadequate immigration systems, permit backlogs, and social tensions create environments where fear and misinformation can flourish.

Law Enforcement Under Pressure

Police and immigration authorities now face mounting pressure from multiple directions.

On one side, government faces demands to tighten border controls and remove undocumented migrants. On the other, authorities are expected to protect constitutional rights and prevent vigilantism.

KwaZulu-Natal police have warned against unlawful searches, intimidation, and violence during anti-immigrant demonstrations.

At the same time, security agencies have increased visible deployments in Durban amid concerns that tensions could escalate further.

Mashatile stressed that enforcement should remain within legal frameworks rather than allowing communities to take matters into their own hands.

What Happens Next?

The future for migrants gathered around Durban’s shelters and refugee centers remains uncertain.

Key questions remain unresolved:

• Will temporary shelters become permanent humanitarian sites?
• How will authorities separate lawful immigration enforcement from anti-foreigner intimidation?
• Can government prevent future violence while addressing public frustrations over immigration?
• What long-term reforms are needed within South Africa’s asylum and permit systems?

The situation at the Diakonia Centre has become more than a local humanitarian issue. It now represents a broader national challenge involving migration policy, social cohesion, policing, and human rights.

As South Africa continues debating immigration enforcement, the scenes in Durban serve as a reminder that behind every policy discussion are individuals and families seeking safety, stability, and dignity.

Conclusion

The developments surrounding foreign nationals at Durban’s Diakonia Centre highlight the fragile intersection of immigration, public frustration, economic pressure, and human rights in South Africa.

While Home Affairs verification found that only two out of 457 processed migrants were in the country illegally, fears and tensions continue to rise. Political leaders have condemned vigilante behavior, yet anti-immigrant activism remains highly visible.

For many migrants gathered in Durban, the immediate concern is survival and protection. For South Africa, the broader challenge is finding a lawful and humane balance between immigration control and constitutional rights.

The events unfolding around the Diakonia Centre may ultimately shape how the country addresses migration and social tensions in the years ahead.