A LIFELINE for refugees living on the pavement outside the Durban Refugee Reception Centre has instead divided the camp, with about 250 people split over whether to remain in Durban or relocate to temporary shelter near Gauteng.

An offer from a local NPO to move the refugees to a shelter in the north of Durban, or relocate them to temporary shelter at Lindela near Gauteng, has split the group into two factions.

After months of living together in solidarity, the camp is now divided over whether to remain together in Durban or leave the city.

Gerrard Itabelo, who is in favour of relocating to Lindela, said the majority of the camp wanted to leave Durban. “We have been living on the streets for over four months and we are tired.”

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He said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had found temporary shelter for them.

“Most of us want to go to Lindela, we do not care how far away it is. We will be safe and warm over there. It is arranged by government and the UN which is a guarantee. We refuse to go to Phoenix, an NGO that we do not know can protect us as we saw with the recent violence.”

According to Itabelo, the refugees have handed their documents to the UNHCR and could be leaving soon. However, camp leader Bishop Raphael Bahebwa is urging those who want to remain in Durban to accept the NGO’s offer.

“Although I cannot disclose the exact location of the centre, I have been to see the place and we can live there. It is one step closer to us reintegrating back into the community which is what we want,” said Bahebwa.

“I know some people want to go to Lindela but there is now another option for those that want to live in the area.”

The Lindela option was recently confirmed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi during an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration media briefing on Tuesday.

She said the UNHCR had been supporting members of the refugee group to explore available solutions, including voluntary reintegration into communities.

“For those who have expressed an interest in the Lindela option as a temporary alternative shelter arrangement, the UNHCR has encouraged them to engage constructively with the process.

“The organisation is also working to compile the requested information regarding those willing to relocate,” said Kubayi.

She added that the IMC remained firmly committed to managing migration in a manner that is lawful, orderly and humane, while ensuring enforcement actions are carried out within the Constitution and South Africa’s international obligations.

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