MORE than 150 refugees are expected to remain at Bulwer Park until 17:00 today (September 15) as they await transport to a non-profit organisation’s shelter somewhere in Durban.

The group, made up of women, men and children, opted to stay behind after 282 other refugees left Che Guevara Road this morning for a temporary shelter near Gauteng arranged by government.

However, some refused to leave after being promised that alternative accommodation would be arranged for them in Durban.

By midday, as hail and heavy rain swept across Durban, there was still confusion in the camp, with refugees huddling under trees and in makeshift tents to shelter from the weather alongside their belongings.

Also Read: VIDEO: Refugees leave Durban for uncertain future in Gauteng

Glenwood Bulwer Ratepayers and Residents Association (GBRRA) chairperson Keyuren Maharaj, who arrived at the park after 13:00, said it was unacceptable that illegal structures had already been built at the park.

“We have human rights groups saying that they have accommodation for the refugees, but why was this not arranged weeks ago?” asked Maharaj.

“We have been reassured that they will all be gone 17:00, but we highly doubt that. As a community we will not allow this to happen. A lot of community investment has go into Bulwer Park and we will not allow illegal structures and fires here.”

He said the community was already up in arms over the park being used to temporarily house the refugees.

“We have received calls, messages, and emails from residents who are horrified at what is happening at the park. This is breaking a number of by-laws and we understand the predicament that they are in but they have been given ample opportunity to find shelter. This will not be allowed and we hope that the high ups will listen to this call and move them as soon as possible.”

Nafisa Soomar, a legal convener from the non-profit organisation Siyafana Sonke, said they were appealing for support for the displaced asylum seekers and refugees.

Soomar said the accommodation they had found had fallen through.

“Everything was signed and seemingly well but the decision changed overnight. They did not give us a reason why the decision change but we can only assume that there that there was political pressure.”

As of 15:00, arrangements for food and shelter were still being made for the refugees.

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