MORE than 3000 documented and undocumented foreign nationals, mainly Malawians, remain in limbo at the grounds of Sherwood Hall where they have been seeking shelter since Sunday (June 7).

Fear and unrest over the looming June 30 protest has caused numbers to swell at the makeshift camp, with two large marquis and gazebos housing displaced children, women, and men who are asking to be repatriated.

With the slow pace of the Malawian government’s intervention and fears of diseases gripping the camp, Adam Ali from the Malawi Embassy Disaster Management team says they will soon have no choice but to start turning people away.

“It’s that or start opening up more campsites as we cannot keep accommodating more people here,” said Ali. “We are now inviting disease because some people have not bathed for over three days and they are sharing the same toilets and waste management has also become an issue.”

Also Read: Refugee crisis deepens as hundreds flee homes across eThekwini

Imploring for help from the Malawian government, Ali said they have not yet been told if any buses are coming to pick anyone up.

“We do not know what to do, people are now coming to Sherwood from all over KZN,” said Ali. “They are coming here with the intention to be repatriated to Malawi but there is no news of the buses as yet.”

With members of the Department of Home Affairs on site registering those who want to return to their home country, Ali said only the registered will be able to board the bus.  

“Whether you are documented or undocumented, you must register to be repatriated,” said Ali, who confirmed that those being repatriated will be listed under one document to allow them to cross the South African, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique borders to reach Malawi.

Also Read: Durban foreign nationals remain in limbo

Ward 30 councillor Warren Burne was also on site. He urged both governments to intervene.  “Every time that I arrive or drive past here, I see more people arrive with their bags. It’s a sorry sight to see,” said Burne.

He too raised issue with the slow process of repatriation. “The situation is changing by the hour and by the weekend it could be out of control. “The Sherwood residents have also raised concerns about security and safety.”

As of Friday morning, there was still no news of the buses coming to repatriate those living on the grounds of Sherwood Hall. NGOs like Gift of the Givers, City Hope, and religious organisations have been assisting the displaced migrants with food, water and warm blankets.

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