THE eThekwini Municipality working with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration has confirmed the relocation of Malawi nationals from the Old Drive-In site in Durban to a Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina, Limpopo

This comes after eThekwini raised concern with the growing number of foreign nationals fleeing to the site, with figures estimated to be near 15 000. In a statement issued this morning, municipal spokesperson Mandla Nsele said the decision to relocate the Malawi nationals’ site to a newly established outside the province was taken following a meeting with the Committee on June 26.

“The relocation follows the significant increase in the number of Malawian nationals requiring humanitarian assistance and repatriation,” said Nsele.

He said the relocation process is being led by the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the relevant national departments, with support from the affected spheres of government within their respective mandates and will lead to the decommissioning of the Drive-In migration camp.

“The eThekwini Municipality will continue to support and co-ordinate with the relevant national departments and stakeholders, within its mandate, to facilitate the implementation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee’s decision,” said Nsele. “The Durban Drive-In temporary repatriation site will be decommissioned once all operational arrangements have been finalised and the relocation process has been successfully concluded.

Also Read: Displaced Malawian nationals descend on Drive-inn Site

“The Municipality wishes to assure residents that the relocation is being undertaken in close collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Transport, the South African Police Service, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the process is conducted safely, orderly, humanely and in accordance with the law.”

National government has confirmed that more than 15 000 Malawian nationals have already been processed for deportation and voluntary repatriation, while verification of additional individuals continues.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here