About 150 foreign nationals and refugees refused to leave the Diakonia Centre in Durban's central business district on Tuesday night [1].
The standoff highlights a deepening crisis of trust between migrant communities and South African law enforcement amid rising xenophobic tensions. The group chose to sleep outside the facility rather than risk returning to their homes or workplaces.
Protesters cited specific threats from members of the March and March movement as the reason for their refusal to vacate the premises [1], [2]. Despite safety assurances provided by the police, the individuals remained at the site, saying that the guarantees were insufficient to ensure their protection [1].
"We cannot leave here," one unnamed protester said [2]. Another individual emphasized the severity of the situation, saying, "We are ready to die for our safety" [3].
The unrest has impacted local commerce in the Durban CBD. Ahmed Abdi, a Somali shop owner, described the volatility of the environment. "My business is at the centre of a storm," Abdi said [3].
The Diakonia Centre has become a focal point for those seeking refuge from targeted threats. The decision by 150 people [1] to camp outdoors underscores the perceived failure of state security to protect vulnerable non-citizens from organized movements targeting foreigners.
Local residents and critics have responded to the crisis by urging the foreign nationals to return to their home countries [3]. This sentiment mirrors a broader trend of anti-immigrant rhetoric that has historically led to violence in South African urban centers.
“"We are ready to die for our safety"”
This incident reflects the fragility of security for refugees and migrants in South Africa, where organized movements like March and March can create an atmosphere of fear that overrides official police assurances. The refusal to leave a known safe haven indicates a systemic lack of trust in the state's ability to prevent xenophobic violence.
