Durban mayor says 300 migrants reported as legal, only 1 illegal: SA not convinced

• eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba says of the 300 foreign nationals in Durban verified as legally living in South Africa, only one was found to be in the country illegally and arrested
• The verification process is taking place at a designated processing center after the migrants are transferred from the Diakonia Center for documentation check.
• Despite the mayor's update, many South Africans have expressed skepticism online, questioning how such a large group could be verified in such a short period of time

Durban – eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has announced that 300 foreign nationals have been verified in Durban, with only one person found to be in South Africa Illegally and was arrested later today.

However, South Africans are not convinced by the announcement, questioning how officials were able to complete the verification process so quickly for such a large group.

The group has been camping at the Diakonia Center since Tuesday, 19 May 2026, when it was moved there while protesting outside. Durban Central Police Station. They claimed they fear for their lives in the communities where they live.

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Zaba updates South Africans on Diakonia Center processes

Before the announcement, Cyril Xaba said that migrants seeking asylum in the Durban CBD, including the Diakonia Centre, were being taken to a designated refugee processing center where Home Affairs officials would verify their documents.

This came as foreign nationals at the center insisted on proving their legal status in an effort to distance themselves from undocumented immigrants who they claimed were responsible for tensions between the immigrant community and South Africans.

Zaba said that individuals found in the country without valid papers will be deported in line with immigration procedures.

Watch a video of the Durban Mayor giving an update on the verification process:

South Africans weigh

However, posts circulating on social media suggest that most South Africans are skeptical of the mayor's announcement.

@S81756 said:

“The Home Office has registered these foreigners as asylum seekers at the fastest rate in history. Who approved their asylum papers? And what war are they fleeing? And what have they been given to stay in SA?”

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Tension flares up at Diakonia Center as MK party and marchers and march members clash with foreign nationals

@MoviePlugshz said:

“Only 1 in 300 illegals? In less than 2 hours? Come on, Mayor. South Africans are not stupid, we see the daily reality on the ground.”

@BrianG43337 said:

“Apparently, the Home Ministry said it would take some time, now this? When has the Home Ministry started working so efficiently? So fast? Their workers are definitely at home now.”

@TumiN56597 said:

“There must be limits on migration; one cannot celebrate this two-minute result! Limits: We cannot include all of Africa.”

@ReighNay said:

“This is a lie!! I hope when they are telling us they are verifying their documents they are not documenting them.”

Tension increased outside the Diakonia Center

First, news in brief reported this Tension increased outside the Diakonia Center In Durban, members of the MK party and the March and March movement gathered at the site where hundreds of foreign nationals have been camping for the past few days. The situation became increasingly volatile as activists from both groups rushed to the centre, chants of “Abahambe” echoed as individuals from both sides reportedly threatened to fight.

Source: News in Brief