By Elihle Mloko
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli on Thursday, 11 September 2026 descended on the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre at Moore Road, Durban, to deal with a humanitarian crisis that has left scores of foreign nationals, including mothers and children, living on the pavement for almost three months.
The encampment of refugees from the DRC, Burundi, and other African countries has become a major flashpoint in Umbilo. The group, which says it was displaced by previous anti-immigration operations, has been sleeping outside the home affairs.
Ntuli said the situation had become untenable for the province and concerning for the refugees.
“Immediately I got information that we have this problem on Friday, and I tasked the Office of the Premier to establish the facts.”
After convening an early morning meeting with Home Affairs and other departments, Ntuli launched a scathing attack on foreign missions and international agencies for abandoning their people.
“What is very unfortunate is that I wanted also the offices representing these nationals here in South Africa to attend a meeting so that they will tell me why they leave people under this condition for such a long time. Why are they not taking responsibility? Why the offices are allocated here in South Africa if they cannot help and assist their nationals. I’m very not happy that they did not attend,” he said.
“The majority of the people who are here, they are from DRC, Burundi and other countries. But those countries were not part of the meeting,” Ntuli said, adding he was also disappointed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees only joined virtually. “I’m not quite sure whether they do come here to see the conditions these people are living under.” Ntuli added.
Ntuli confirmed a technical team will now finalise a plan to provide transport and relocate the group to a more dignified and safe location in Lindelani.
Speaking from one of the refugee people, Princess Adjei broke down the reality on the ground and welcomed Ntuli’s intervention.
“First of all I would like to appreciate the Premier for coming here and to thank him… He is so human. He could feel the pain of the kids and the mothers,” she said.
Princess Adjei said the cold has already killed two people at the camp.
“Two people died here. One died of TB because of cold,” she added.
Despite pressure to leave, she said returning on their country’s home means death.
“There’s still war. People are dying each and every day in our countries, That is why we are refugees. You can’t go back to the war when you know you’re going to die,” she said.
The refugees said they are willing to be moved to Lindela Repatriation Centre where they can be safe and protected.
Government says the relocation to a better facility, potentially Lindela, is now imminent and will happen on monday, 13 September 2026.
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