Durban – eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has called for urgent intervention from Leon Schreiber to assist foreign nationals camping outside Durban’s Home Affairs office following anti-immigration protests that turned violent in parts of the country.
The Durban CBD descended into chaos on Tuesday during protests led by civil groups, political parties and lobby organisation March and March. Scores of foreign nationals, including children and refugees, reportedly fled their homes and sought protection at Durban Central Police Station.
While many of those verified by Home Affairs were found to have legal documentation, some refused to return home due to safety concerns, resulting in temporary camps outside processing centres.
Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka of Human Rights Watch in SA says the latest foreign nationals’ verification outcomes which show that a overwhelming majority of foreigners in South Africa are legally documented should serve as a wake-up call for xenophobes pic.twitter.com/WC9lUECFoc
— mmatigari (@matigary) May 22, 2026
According to The Citizen, Xaba said the municipality lacked the facilities to house them but stressed they could not be left on the streets without shelter and basic services. He said the city was willing to provide transport and Metro Police support to relocate affected individuals to facilities identified by the minister.
“He (Xaba) added that the city stands ready to provide transport and Metro Police support to facilitate the safe and orderly relocation of those affected to facilities identified by the minister,” Xaba’s spokesperson, Mluleki Mntungwa said.
The mayor also highlighted pressure on municipal resources, noting that eThekwini was still struggling to accommodate flood victims in temporary shelters.
Meanwhile, African ambassadors are set to boycott South Africa’s official Africa Day celebrations in Moruleng, North West, over growing concerns about xenophobic violence and the safety of foreign nationals in the country, Times Live reported.
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— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) May 24, 2026
The boycott, led by André Nzapayeke, dean of the African ambassadorial corps, follows recent anti-immigrant protests and attacks in parts of South Africa, including Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Diplomats said they could not guarantee the safety of attendees at the event, which is expected to attract thousands of people.
“There will be thousands of people attending, and we cannot give these people assurance that they will be secured. We will be putting all the people at risk,” the report quoted Nzapayeke as saying, confirming that the boycott was a collective decision.
The ambassadors’ move is seen as a major diplomatic snub to Pretoria amid criticism that government has downplayed growing hostility towards migrants. African envoys also drafted a statement condemning xenophobic violence, intimidation and threats against foreign nationals living in South Africa.
The controversy comes as Ghana prepares to evacuate about 300 of its citizens from South Africa and has called for the African Union to debate xenophobia in the country.
[WATCH] Ghana’s ambassador to South Africa Benjamin Kofi Quashie provides an update on his country’s efforts to repatriate Ghanaians from South Africa due to fears of xenophobic attacks.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/DR5tp2CBQs
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 24, 2026
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned xenophobic attacks, saying there is “no place in South Africa for xenophobia”, while also acknowledging concerns around undocumented migration and pressure on public services.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
