A tense moment captured as police intervene during a violent clash at the Sherwood site, highlighting the challenges faced in managing the deportation process.
The eThekwini Municipality, in collaboration with national government departments, is fast-tracking the deportation of thousands of undocumented Malawian nationals from the Sherwood site due to humanitarian and capacity pressures.
To expedite repatriation, the city activated a new staging facility at the Durban drive-in, supported by virtual and physical courts.
Speaking at a media briefing in Sherwood on Wednesday, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba said: “We have established a staging facility. Following the rapid increase in the number of people at this site, the municipality has activated the drive-in site to alleviate pressure on the Sherwood site, improve conditions, and enhance the coordinated management of affected individuals. The drive-in site is a staging area intended to serve as an overflow site, reducing overcrowding at Sherwood and fast-tracking the deportation process.
“To facilitate the relocation of people from Sherwood to the drive-in site, eThekwini Municipality has deployed 10 buses. Four of these buses will operate continuously between Sherwood, the drive-in site, and the Magistrate’s Court to support processing and deportation activities.”
