Migrants who have spent three months camped outside Home Affairs refugee offices in Durban have agreed to leave the area after saying they fear for their safety.
According to EWN, the group accepted a government offer to move to the Lindela Repatriation Centre following a tense demonstration by more than 100 members of the March and March movement.
Police were deployed between the protesters and migrants, preventing a repeat of the violence reported during clashes the previous week.
Police separate protesters and migrants
The demonstration took place next to the makeshift refugee camp on Che Guevara Street in Durban.
EWN reported that some protesters carried sticks and sjamboks, while others wore balaclavas.
Despite heightened tensions, the demonstration ended without further violence.
Police and private security personnel were present, with officers forming a barrier between the two groups.
Migrants say they remain afraid
Princess Adjei, one of the migrant leaders, said the group remained fearful even with security personnel present.
“We are still scared,” she said, explaining that migrants feared another attack could quickly turn violent.
Their decision to relocate follows three months at the temporary camp outside the refugee offices.
Future remains unclear
Adjei said it was not yet clear whether the migrants would eventually return to their countries of origin.
She said most of those in the group are documented refugees.
According to EWN, their status in South Africa has been confirmed by several government departments.
The move to Lindela therefore does not necessarily mean the group will be repatriated.
For now, the immediate focus is on moving the migrants away from the Durban camp after the latest demonstration intensified concerns about their safety.
The protest ended without incident, but the migrants say the tensions surrounding the camp have left them unwilling to remain there.