Rights groups demand emergency shelter for hundreds of refugees living on Durban pavement

The Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign has accused the South African government of failing to uphold its constitutional obligation to protect hundreds of recognised refugees, who have been living on the pavement outside the Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban for almost eight weeks.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, the coalition described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, saying nearly 500 documented refugees, including families with babies and young children, have been left without adequate shelter, sanitation, healthcare or security after fleeing their homes under xenophobic threat. They are from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Uganda, made refugees again, in the country of their refuge. Siyafana says that temporary, emergency accommodation must be provided my government, until it is safe for them to return to the communities they fled.

Since the violent xenophobic attacks started and the 30 June deadline set by anti-immigrant group, March and March, thousands of African migrants have been displaced with more than 50,000 taking voluntary repatriation back to their countries.

Siyafana is a coalition of more than 160 civil society organisations that was established few months ago in response to the ongoing violence against African migrants in South Africa.

Yeshelen Govender, coordinator of Siyafana, said government could no longer ignore the crisis. “When you have more than 400, and approaching 500 people, living on the pavements without any state support, it’s our position that there is a failure to carry out the constitutional mandate that the state holds, which is to ensure the safety and security of all those who live within the borders of our country,” Govender said.

He said many of those sleeping outside the home affairs office were recognised refugees who had fled conflict and persecution in their home countries and could not return. “These are recognised refugees. They are legally in South Africa. They cannot return to their home countries, and many cannot safely return to the communities they fled because they continue to face threats and intimidation.”

Govender stressed that the refugees were not demanding houses. “They are asking for temporary emergency accommodation while a safe and structured reintegration process is negotiated.”

Civil society organisations had stepped in to provide food, blankets, clothing, water and other humanitarian assistance, but warned that volunteers could not continue carrying the burden alone. “Government has a legal and constitutional obligation to protect everyone living in South Africa, including recognised refugees,” he said.

For JJ Julius, the past eight weeks have meant surviving with his wife and two young children, aged two and four, on the pavement outside the Refugee Reception Centre. “Nobody wants to live on the road. People don’t understand the difference between a refugee and an immigrant. We are recognised refugees. Our documents have been verified,” he said.

Julius said families had endured freezing winter temperatures, heavy rain and dangerous conditions while sleeping outdoors. “Last week was the worst because it rained from Thursday. We had nowhere to go.”

He recalled a frightening incident when a vehicle crashed into his parked car while his family was sleeping. “At around 2 a.m. a drunk driver drove into my vehicle. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured, but it shows how unsafe we are here.”

Julius said returning home is not an option at the moment as they don’t feel safe.

Princess Adjei said women and children were among those suffering the most from the deteriorating conditions. “For five weeks we had no water and no toilets. We now share ten portable toilets with everyone,” she said. The conditions are sickening. “Women are getting infections because of the conditions. We have babies here as young as one week. We don’t have another place to go.”

Adjei said many refugees had attempted to return to the communities they fled but were chased away again. “Our documents have been verified. Some people have tried to go back but they were attacked again.”

She appealed to South Africans to show compassion. “We have lost our jobs and cannot pay rent. We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for safety until we can go back.”

Raphael Bahebwa, president of the Congolese Solidarity Campaign, arrived at the home affairs offices on Che Guevara Road with 6 other refugees fleeing attacks. He said four of them sustained minor injuries, while two were admitted to hospital. The evidence is clear, he said, that many refugees remained at risk despite being legally documented.

Deborah Ewing of Siyafana said children’s rights remained non-negotiable and called for an urgent humanitarian response to protect vulnerable families.

Humanitarian coordinator Alim Leung warned that organisations providing relief were becoming overwhelmed as demand for food, shelter and medical assistance continued to grow while resources remained limited. She called on the national government, the KwaZulu-Natal government and eThekwini Municipality to urgently provide emergency shelter, food, healthcare, sanitation and protection.