Rising tensions at Sherwood hall where Malawian nationals have been camped for more than a week has prompted the rollout of a 72-hour emergency plan by the eThekwini Municipality.
The eThekwini Municipality has announced a raft of measures to contain the unfolding crisis in Sherwood over the next 72 hours. It is estimated that more than 6,000 Malawians are now camping out in the area after being displaced from informal settlements due to threats from local residents. A voluntary repatriation process began last week, handled by Malawian authorities, but it has since stalled due to apparent financial constraints.
The South African authorities have now started formal deportation processes which will see some of the group being moved to the old Drive-In site near the Durban beachfront. The eThekwini Municipality said it is working together with the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and other key stakeholders to implement a range of interventions within the next 72 hours.
Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba announced that the interventions are meant to stabilise the situation at the site, reduce humanitarian and public health risks, and support the ongoing processing of migrants while expediting deportation processes.
