CELEBRATING World Refugee Day on June 20 while camping outside the gates of the Department of Home Affairs Durban Refugee Centre on Che Guevara Road was never on the cards for the approximately 230 refugees seeking shelter there after fleeing their homes more than a month ago amid ongoing threats of violence.

The refugees, from the DRC, Burundi and other African nations, supported by the South Africa Palestine Movement, held a picket to highlight their plight on what should have been a day of celebration.

“We are suffering while our government, the United Nations (UN) and the world watches in silence,” said the refugees’ spokesperson, Bishop Raphael Bahebwa.

The Congolese national appealed to the UN and the South African government to provide temporary shelter ahead of the planned June 30 anti-illegal immigration protest. The group, comprising men, women and children, was turned away from the Sherwood Hall camp last week.

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According to mayoral spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa, the refugees were addressed by the mayor and the Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi, and were presented with two options:

“To reintegrate into the community or to be accommodated at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. The group declined both options. The group is now demanding that the Municipality provide accommodation within the City,” said Mntungwa.

Bahebwa said some refugees have returned to their homes across eThekwini because they do not wish to return to their war-torn countries. “After four weeks, the City has brought us toilets and water to use. Our status in this country grants us the same rights and privileges as South Africans,” said Bahebwa.

“We are appealing to the UN to intervene on our behalf. All we need is shelter so that we can get back on our feet because most of us no longer have jobs and homes to go back to.”

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Political analyst and co-founder of the South Africa Palestine Movement, Dr Lubna Nadvi, also appealed for assistance for the refugees who have been sleeping on the pavement for more than five weeks.

“They are unable to go back to their countries,” said Nadvi. “As a civil organisation, we mobilised within our community to try to get them the support that they need.”

This includes food, clothing and recognition from authorities. “We continue to provide medical and humanitarian support while trying to engage their political leadership to fulfil their responsibilities by housing the documented refugees. They have been marginalised and isolated for too long,” said Nadvi.

She called on other civic organisations and those able to assist. “We as South Africans are not xenophobic. We need to show the world and these documented individuals that this is not who we are. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They are documented and legally in the country.”

The day also included fun activities, food and treats for children. “They have been traumatised by this violence and hate. We just wanted to do something nice for them.”

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