South African authorities processed hundreds of immigrants at the Diakonia Centre in central Durban to verify their legal residency status this week.
The operation follows a surge in tensions and threats against foreign nationals, including marches led by the anti-immigrant group March and March. The results of the screening suggest that the vast majority of residents at the facility possess legal documentation, contradicting the claims of those calling for mass removals.
The Home Affairs verification drive began on Thursday, May 20, and continued through May 21 [1]. During the operation, police relocated 1,000 foreign nationals from the refugee centre [2].
Reports on the number of people processed vary. Mayor Cyril Xaba said 300 foreign nationals were processed [3]. However, other reports indicate that nearly 460 foreign nationals underwent the screening [4].
Regarding the findings, Mayor Xaba said, "Only one undocumented foreign national has been identified from the 300 processed" [3]. A separate report attributed to the mayor said that two of the nearly 460 processed individuals were found to be undocumented [4].
The drive was prompted by protests and threats directed at immigrants in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. A spokesperson for March and March said, "We are protecting our communities from illegal immigrants" [5].
The Diakonia Centre serves as a critical hub for foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal. The recent police activity at the site was described as creating chaotic scenes during the relocation process [2].
“"Only one undocumented foreign national has been identified from the 300 processed."”
The disparity between the high volume of police activity and the negligible number of undocumented persons found suggests that the 'blitz' was a response to social pressure rather than a targeted enforcement action based on known illegalities. By conducting a public verification drive, the municipal government attempted to neutralize the political narrative pushed by groups like March and March, though the chaotic nature of the relocations may have further strained relations between the state and immigrant populations.
