MEDIA STATEMENT
Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) is deeply alarmed by the unfolding situation in
eThekwini, where refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants have been forced to flee their
communities and seek protection at the Durban Central Police Station after weeks of growing
threats, assaults, intimidation, and insecurity. Reports emerging from the ground, indicate that
vulnerable people, including women and children, were denied meaningful protection and later
forcibly and violently dispersed by police using stun grenades and rubber bullets. This occurred
despite the fact that the people gathered were not engaging in any violent or illegal conduct.
We have received a report that there was possibly some live ammunition used and a video
taken by an observer clearly shows that the police engaged in excessive force and treated the
refugees, asylum seekers and migrants as if they were criminals. In a situation where people
had spent the previous afternoon and evening simply pleading for the police to provide
protection and safety (which is after all, one of the core jobs of the police), what has unfolded is
not only deeply concerning but wholly unacceptable.
KAAX has been warning for some time now that the increase in vigilante activity – often
undertaken with the tacit support of the police and other government authorities – targeting
asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in general is extremely dangerous. This latest iteration
in eThekwini must be treated with extreme urgency before it escalates further and repeats the
xenophobic death and destruction visited on migrants that South Africa has been witness to in
the past. Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are entitled to dignity, protection, and access
to assistance under the Constitution and international law.
We call on the South African government, SAPS, the eThekwini Municipality, and social services
to urgently intervene, de-escalate tensions, provide humanitarian support, and ensure the
immediate safety of all affected communities. Failure to act responsibly at this stage risks
inflaming fear, instability, and further violence.
Ends
Contact for Media Inquiries
Mike Ndlovu
media@kaax.org.za
+27 68 552 2510
