Ntuli warns of disaster risk as 12 babies are born at migrant camp
Premier Thami Ntuli says urgent intervention is needed following reports of newborn babies being born amid deteriorating living conditions.
A STEERING committee is being formed by the KZN provincial government to deal with the emerging humanitarian crisis at Sherwood Hall where thousands of Malawi nationals have been living for more than a week while awaiting repatriation.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, who visited the camp on Tuesday (June 16), raised concern about the conditions which more than 8000 people are living under at the Sherwood Hall grounds. “These are human beings and cannot keep living here like this,” said Ntuli.
“Even though we want them to go back to their own country and come back legally, we cannot have them living out in the open, especially as it is winter and soon the rains will come.”
He said a steering committee is being formed to deal with the crisis which will determine the way forward. “We need to solve this before it escalates. I have already been told that there are 12 babies that have been born to mothers living at this camp.
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“As government we need to make sure that this does not end up as a disaster which is why we have also brought the Department of Health, Social Development and Community Liaison with us today. Our intervention will assist in alleviating the crisis.
“Nobody must discourage those who are willing to help like NGOs and private companies who are willing to give support for repatriation.”
He said this as there was growing frustration among the documented and undocumented Malawi nationals who raised issue with the slow pace of the repatriation process. Mussah Peter was among those who voiced his frustration after being told that they will soon be moved to a deportation centre to await repatriation there.
“They could be using that petrol to take us to Malawi, it is being wasted by taking us to Lindelas (centres).” He appealed to millionaires from Malawi to help fund their repatriation.
“We are calling on Shepherd Bushiri to come and help us. There are plenty of other millionaires in our countries that could help so we are appealing for their help. We just want to go home,” said Peter.
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