DURBAN — eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has overseen an operation to transfer hundreds of foreign nationals from the Diakonia Centre in Durban’s central business district to a designated refugee reception facility for formal immigration status verification.

The exercise, conducted on Thursday, May 21, 2026, involved the transport of over 300 individuals to the Durban Refugee Reception Centre on Moore Road. The move followed a gathering of foreign nationals at the Diakonia Centre, where many had sought refuge after reporting threats of anti-foreigner violence in the city.

Verification Process and Findings

The verification process was conducted by the Department of Home Affairs to establish the legal status of those gathered. Mayor Xaba, who briefed the media at the reception center, stated that following the screening, it was determined that nearly all of the foreign nationals transported from the Diakonia site were residing in the country legally.

"Most foreign nationals at Diakonia centre [have been] documented," Xaba confirmed, adding that officials found only one individual to be in the country illegally during this specific operation. The Mayor emphasized that documented immigrants are entitled to protection, and he urged the local community to accept them back into their neighborhoods.

Context of Anti-Foreigner Sentiment

The situation in Durban coincides with a period of heightened anti-foreigner sentiment in various parts of South Africa. While reports have circulated regarding anti-migrant campaigns and protests, the Durban municipal authorities have maintained that their primary objective in this instance was to ensure public order and verify the legal status of those seeking protection.

The atmosphere in the country has been further strained by the tragic killing of crime activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng, on Wednesday, May 20. While authorities continue to investigate the murder, some have speculated that the eventvand the subsequent public outcry may have contributed to the general feeling of tension.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for Molosankwe's killers, and national leadership has condemned the murder, committing maximum resources to the investigation.