South Africa\u2019s (SA) KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province Premier Thami Ntuli has dismissed rumours of rising tensions following the displacement of approximately 2 500 Malawian nationals who have sought refuge at a community hall in Durban.<\/p>\n
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The Malawian citizens, many of whom claim to be refugees, fled their homes to gather at Sherwood Hall amid mounting anxiety ahead of the June 30 deadline issued by SA authorities for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.<\/p>\n
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In a bid to manage the situation and ensure safety, Ntuli has initiated a series of high-level diplomatic engagements with various African High Commissioners. Provincial government Spokesperson Lindelani Mbatha clarified that the premier is calling for the orderly repatriation of undocumented individuals so they can regularise their legal status.<\/p>\n
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“The Honourable Premier is busy having engagements with different High Commissioners from different countries in KZN,” Mbatha said. “The Premier is clear in saying those who are in KZN illegally, undocumented foreign nationals, must be able to be assisted to go home to their countries. For sure, they can come back once their papers are sorted.”<\/p>\n
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Officials have strongly rejected allegations of xenophobic violence or state detention, emphasizing that the focus remains on administrative regularisation. SA’s Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi also visited Sherwood Hall to assess the living conditions of the displaced families and coordinate support.<\/p>\n
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