Yasmin Bilal
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) began a verification process yesterday involving foreign nationals sheltering at the Diakonia Refugee Centre in eThekwini, as the government seeks to establish the legal status of those gathered at the facility.
The operation is being conducted by an integrated team comprising the Departments of Home Affairs, Social Development and Transport, together with provincial law enforcement agencies.
The development comes amid an ongoing national debate around immigration. While there is no official figure for undocumented migrants living in the country, estimates from the United Nations and related data sources suggest the number could be between one million and three million people. Statistics South Africa has recorded approximately 2.4 million international migrants, many from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
The issue has sparked protests in several parts of the country, particularly in Johannesburg, where some groups have called for foreign nationals to leave and for foreign-owned businesses to close.
At the same time, many documented migrants say they are being unfairly grouped with those without legal status.
The verification process follows engagements between the Southern African Refugee Forum, which represents foreign nationals at the centre, and senior NATJOINTS officials.
Around 200 foreign nationals are currently sheltering at the facility, saying they fear for their safety following tensions linked to anti-illegal immigration groups in surrounding communities.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the integrated team would address issues arising from the situation at the centre.
“This process will be conducted with the integrated team of NATJOINTS to ensure that we attend to all the issues associated with this situation at the centre,” said Netshiunda.
He added that those found to be in the country illegally would be processed in line with immigration legislation and returned to their countries of origin.
Police in eThekwini are also investigating several cases linked to the situation, including allegations of assault, intimidation, malicious damage to property and the closure of businesses.
Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelela Makoba said all reported cases would be investigated.
“All cases that have been reported on this will be duly investigated,” said Makoba.
In Gauteng, some legal migrants have raised concerns that they are being grouped with undocumented foreign nationals amid rising tensions over immigration.
Hamza Hassim, a Pakistani national living in Mamelodi, said he holds permanent residency and has lived in the country for seven years.
“I started my small supermarket business by borrowing money from friends and family. I didn’t get or ask for government funding. I don’t know why I should go. I am contributing to the economy and paying my taxes,” he said.
Gift Dube, a Zimbabwean national working as a waiter in the Midrand area, said he often works double shifts to support himself.
“I am legal in this country. Sadly, our South African brothers and sisters want to put legal and illegal foreigners in one basket,” he said.
Fatima Abdilahi, a Somali national, said she fled Mogadishu after the ongoing conflict for the safety of her children.
“I have refugee status. I am not illegal. I run a small food business, and I sell handbags and clothing items. I started this business by selling my jewellery. No government department or person funded me. This is what most Somalis in the country do. We self-fund and operate our own businesses,” she said.
She added, “I want my brothers and sisters in this country to show me how we stole their jobs. We hustle every day and do not wait for handouts.”
Costa Langa, a mechanic based in Johannesburg, said he has been living in the country for eight years legally.
“Most of my clients are South Africans. I have been here for two years, and I am documented. I have a work permit, which I renew on time. Being here is at my own expense. I did not steal a job from anyone. And it is people like my landlord, who is South African, that benefit from my stay,” he said.
NATJOINTS said the government remains committed to addressing immigration related challenges through lawful processes while ensuring the safety and dignity of all people affected.
The structure noted that immigration pressures must be addressed through state processes and also stressed that violence, threats and intimidation against foreign nationals are unacceptable and do not reflect government policy.
Since the beginning of 2026, police have arrested 29,731 illegal foreign nationals during nationwide operations. In the previous financial year, 76,588 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested, while the Department of Home Affairs deported 59,814 people.
NATJOINTS said it remains committed to maintaining law and order, safeguarding borders and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.