Che Guevara refugees divided over proposed relocation to Lindela - IOL

South Africa - Durban - 14 September 2026 - Foreign nationals living on the pavements of Che Guevara Road (Moore Road) in Berea, Durban, are set to leave the area on Monday, nearly 4 months since they arrived before June 30 deadline given to them by anti illegal organizations.

Refugees living on Durban’s Moore Road say they are divided over a proposed move to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Gauteng, with some fearing detention and others desperate to escape worsening street conditions.

While some of the refugees have started to prepare for the move,  others have opted to remain on the streets of Durban.

They are hopeful  government will provide them with temporary accommodation until they can rebuild their lives in the communities they previously lived.

Kafuti Muyumba, spokesperson for the Che Guevara community, said the proposed relocation had been raised about two months ago when the mayor visited the site.

“He said that if we did not move back to our communities then we would be taken to Lindela,” he said.

However, he said many of those living at the site were refugees who had entered South Africa legally and were concerned that Lindela was not an appropriate solution for their circumstances.

“The problem is, that place is for undocumented illegal immigrants. We are here legally as refugees,” he said.

Muyumba said the refugees understood that authorities wanted them to return to the communities where they had previously lived, but argued that many had lost their homes, jobs and livelihoods during the four months they had been displaced.

“We know that it is now safe for us to return to the communities we came from. However,  the homes we rented and jobs we had are no longer there. That is why we are asking for government assistance until we get onto our feet.

“We have nothing since we came to stay on the streets. We are only asking for temporary housing until we can go back to our normal lives.”

Muyumba, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and previously lived in Berea, said he had also lost his livelihood.

“I rented a shop where I ran a salon but all those things are now gone since we were chased out, four months ago,” he said.

He said the community remained divided over the proposed relocation, with some refugees refusing to go.

Bishop Raphael Bahebwa, one of the leaders at Che Guevara, said the community's priority was to see refugees reintegrated into the communities where they had previously lived.

“I am formerly from the DRC and I lived in Amanzimtoti where I was a builder and a pastor. The only thing that we want for our people is to reintegrate into the communities,” Bahebwa said.

South Africa - Durban - 14 September 2026 - Foreign nationals living on the pavements of Che Guevara Road (Moore Road) in Berea, Durban, are set to leave the area on Monday, nearly 4 months since they arrived before June 30 deadline given to them by anti illegal organizations.

Bahebwa said residents had been shown a list indicating that about 300 people, including children, were expected to be moved to Lindela.

He said the prolonged period spent living on the streets had taken a heavy toll on the community.

“We are human beings, we came into this country legally as refugees. We stayed on the street and as time went on, our people continued to suffer and we lost two people. We are fed up and just want to be in a safe place,” Bahebwa said.

He also raised concerns about the lack of information provided to the refugees about their proposed destination.

“When we enquired about the shelter in Lindela, they did not give us information nor send pictures. The sad part is that Lindela is for people who are here illegally,” he said.

Bahebwa said some refugees were desperate to escape their current living conditions.

“As for the rest of us who do not want to leave, we will remain on the street. The fact is that the government is only fixing 50% of the problem,” Bahebwa said.

South Africa - Durban - 14 September 2026 - Foreign nationals living on the pavements of Che Guevara Road (Moore Road) in Berea, Durban, are set to leave the area on Monday, nearly 4 months since they arrived before June 30 deadline given to them by anti illegal organizations.

He said attempts by refugees to return to their previous communities had not always been successful.

“We have been encouraging our people to integrate back into society but those who went back to their areas were chased and those who went back to work were attacked. The situation has not changed and the tension has not dissipated,” he said.

One of the biggest concerns, Bahebwa said, was the impact the relocation could have on children, particularly those who are already enrolled in schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

Bahebwa said the community did not want a confrontation with authorities and was simply seeking a temporary solution that would allow families to regain their independence.

“We do not want to fight with anyone. We cannot have our children out of school. It is their basic human right.

“We have not asked for a cent prior to this. We just want temporary shelter so we can get back to the life we had. We just want help to get back to the life we lost.

“Currently people are packing and waiting to take their transport to Lindela but everything is still uncertain for them,” Bahebwa said.