Hundreds of foreign nationals shelter in Durban after police dispersal

Hundreds of foreign nationals in Durban have sought refuge at police stations and a church center following days of escalating tensions and protests over undocumented migration in South Africa. The situation, which saw police use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd, has drawn condemnation from human rights groups and raised fears of further violence.

The group, comprising men, women, and children from several African nations, initially gathered outside the Durban Central Police Station on Monday, stating they feared for their safety amid alleged threats and intimidation linked to anti-immigration activism. After a standoff on Tuesday, police moved to disperse the crowd, citing an inability for the station to function. Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a police spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal province, said a minimum legal force was used after negotiations with the group's leaders failed. He confirmed that two cases of assault have been opened and are under investigation.

Following the police action, many of the displaced individuals relocated to the Diakonia Centre, a church facility in the city center, where approximately 150 people spent a second night sleeping outside....