GROUNDUP: Two hundred documented refugees forced to join thousands camped at community hall

For more than two decades, Bishop Raphael Bahebwa has called South Africa home.

Now, the 51-year-old refugee leader finds himself sleeping outside the Che Guevara Road Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, where more than 120 refugees and asylum seekers continue to wait in uncertainty after allegedly losing their homes, belongings and livelihoods amid ongoing tensions.

Speaking on behalf of those who have remained at the Durban site for nearly four weeks, he described a community caught between fear and hope.

Bahebwa, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, appealed for temporary shelter and humanitarian assistance while they await further processes.

"We have lived in South Africa for so long. For example, I have been in the country for over 20 years. I have never had a problem, and even during the xenophobic violence in 2008 and 2015, we sometimes lived peacefully alongside local communities."

According to Bahebwa, municipal officials allegedly visited the group two weeks ago and informed them that they would have to leave the area, presenting two options: reintegrate into surrounding communities or vacate the site.

He claimed that those unwilling to leave would allegedly be taken to the Lindela Repatriation Centre, a Gauteng detention facility used to hold undocumented foreign nationals pending deportation. The facility has been criticised by human rights organisations over alleged poor conditions and the treatment of detainees.

Bahebwa alleged that the situation deteriorated after some refugees attempted to return to their communities.

"When they told us to leave, 17 of our people were stabbed, their belongings were taken away, and their jobs were destroyed, including those who worked in salons."

He further alleged that after authorities verified the group's documentation, many expected to be provided with temporary accommodation rather than being left on the street.

"After verification, they found that we are documented. We simply expect that they will provide us with temporary shelter, especially because many people are worried about June 30 this month," he said.

The date has gained prominence through campaigns by anti-illegal immigration groups calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.

In a strong intervention on the regional crisis, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , condemned what he described as a disturbing escalation of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

"It is profoundly heartbreaking to witness another surge of xenophobic violence in South Africa this week. Hundreds have marched on Parliament, thousands of families have been displaced, and lives have been tragically cut short," he said.

He further warned of rising casualties and displacement across affected communities.

"These include at least five Ethiopians killed earlier in the attacks, and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay. Thousands more are now fleeing for their lives."

Tedros said such violence represented a betrayal of shared continental history and called for accountability under the rule of law.

"South Africa deserves better. Africa deserves better. Stop the hate. Protect the vulnerable. Uphold our shared humanity."

Bahebwa told IOL that he counted between 121 and 130 people remaining outside the reception centre on the morning he spoke. He said many others had left after leaders encouraged them to return to their communities because peace had allegedly been restored.

However, he said those still camped outside the Home Affairs offices were people who had allegedly lost everything and had nowhere else to turn.

"Those who lost everything are the ones remaining here. They have nowhere to go, and as leaders we are confused. We need support from the government and from any NGO that can help accommodate these people until they go through their hearing process with the UN.

"They also need financial and social support so that they can reintegrate into the community."

Bahebwa appealed to government departments and humanitarian organisations to intervene, saying temporary shelter and social assistance would help vulnerable families rebuild their lives while their cases are being processed.

Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude to organisations that have continued to provide humanitarian relief.

He thanked Palestine Solidarity and Presbyterian churches , saying they had remained committed to providing food and support to those still camped outside the reception centre during what he described as an extremely difficult period.

IOL