More than 270 refugees and asylum seekers who have been living outside the Department of Home Affairs’ offices in Durban are being transported to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, following months of uncertainty and growing tensions at the makeshift camp.
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Law enforcement officers began escorting the group from the Home Affairs offices on Che Guevara Road this morning, 15 September 2026. The group has been living at the site since May after many said they had been forced from their homes and businesses amid anti-illegal immigration protests.
The government offered 2 options
The relocation follows discussions between the refugees, provincial authorities and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration.
According to reports, authorities presented the group with two options: return to the communities where they had previously been living or relocate to Lindela. Some of those staying outside the Home Affairs offices chose to move to Gauteng.
The group includes nationals from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania. Many have been seeking assistance with documentation and immigration-related matters.
The relocation has not been without controversy, as refugee representatives have said some people are reluctant to move to Lindela because of concerns about detention and the conditions at the facility.
According to IOL, one refugee leader said more than 100 people had agreed to relocate because of the difficult conditions and security risks on the streets. In contrast, others remained opposed to the move.
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The disagreement comes after months of living in difficult conditions outside the Home Affairs offices, with reports of alleged violence and confrontations involving anti-illegal immigration activists.
The March and March movement has repeatedly called for the migrants to leave the area, while police have maintained a presence around the site following previous clashes.
For those being moved, the relocation marks the end of several months spent living outside the Durban Home Affairs offices. However, uncertainty remains over how their documentation and immigration cases will be handled once they arrive in Gauteng.
The situation continues to attract attention as authorities balance concerns around public safety, immigration administration and the rights and protection needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
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