Malawians had decided to sleep in a crowded and smelly park because they were too afraid to stay at home.
In recent weeks, armed youths had been going door-to-door, visiting migrants' homes and businesses in Durban, telling them to get out of South Africa. by the end of the month.
As the deadline approaches, many fear such threats threaten a repeat of the deadly anti-foreigner violence that has previously erupted in the country.
Malawian migrants seen lining up for food at a makeshift IDP camp in Durban behind coils of newly installed razor wire – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
The concern is that, this week, about 10,000 foreigners, mainly Malawians, have taken refuge in a park as they wait to be put on buses and deported.
The grass around the city's Sherwood Hall has become an overcrowded and smelly humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people sleeping outside amid piles of belongings.
Thousands are sheltering in the open due to fears of anti-migrant attacks – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
Despite the dirty conditions, more people come every day.
“On June 30, we don't know what will happen, but we are not safe here,” explains Hojane Mhon.
The 35-year-old man has been working undocumented in South Africa for five years but now wants out as soon as possible.
“They came to my door and said 'When are you leaving?' They took my fridge and my speakers,” he told the Telegraph.
“There are a lot of people out there being chased. I came here to be safe.”
“People have been attacked here, so why are we still waiting for our buses?”
Many in the park say they fear a repeat of anti-foreigner riots, which killed 62 people in 2008 and flared up again in 2015 and 2019.
Hazira Musa sits with her family's belongings in the makeshift camp in Durban, where she has been sleeping with her husband Sirika Thomson Banda since fleeing threats of xenophobic violence – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
The World Health Organization has alleged that 10 Ethiopians and Mozambicans have already died in the country in recent weeks.
South Africa disputes this and says that many of the deaths were caused by organized crime or are still under investigation.
“We're scared, that's why we're here,” says Yunus Jaffali, a 24-year-old undocumented builder from Malawi. “This is not the first time that they have done this. This happened in 2008 and 2015 also.”
As the continent's economic powerhouse, South Africa has long attracted large numbers of migrant workers, especially from surrounding countries.
Poverty or chaos in neighboring countries such as Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique has increased the numbers arriving.
The numbers are disputed in the country, with official figures saying there are around 2.4 million migrants, and campaign groups claiming the number is many times higher.
But immigration has also long been blamed by many poor South Africans for the country's high unemployment rate – almost a third are currently without a job.
Many also blame immigration and the country's failing public services for the crime.
South Africa's justice minister says attacks on foreign nationals are damaging the country's image – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
Tensions have increased in recent months with a series of marches against illegal immigration led by a protest group called March and March. Anti-illegal immigration campaigners have also set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.
Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria have deported hundreds of citizens who had decided to flee the country and accused Pretoria of doing too little to stop the xenophobic violence.
Tension has reached the World Cup as many Africans refused to support the South African team and celebrated losing their opening match against Mexico.
After the match, Confederation of African Football spokesman Ibrahim Sanni Daraa said, “You cannot mistreat Africa and still expect Africa's full blessing on the world stage.”
Authorities said people inside the camp should be prosecuted by checking their identities – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
South Africa's justice minister said this week that attacks on foreign nationals are damaging the country's image and creating a backlash against its businesses abroad.
“Most South African artists perform on the continent, and many of them are seeing their shows cancelled,” he said.
Immigration is expected to be a key part of this year's municipal election campaigns, as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) tries to stem a vote decline that could see it lose overall power in 2024.
The Anthropological Research Council of South Africa recently reported that surveys showed that the public “has become significantly more hostile towards immigrants over the past five years”.
South Africa's justice minister said this week that attacks on foreign nationals are damaging the country's image – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
Hostility is at its highest level since polling began in 2003 and more than three-quarters believe immigrants increase crime rates.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the vigilantes, but has vowed to tighten border controls on illegal immigration, speed up deportations and fight corruption.
By the end of the week, the temporary camp around Sherwood Hall was beginning to look like a detention center as police had set up a razor wire cordon and patrolled with guns.
Officials said those inside were to have their identities checked and presented in court before being taken back to Malawi by bus.
South African home affairs official Cyril Mnkwabe said, “None of these people are legal, they are all undocumented and illegal in this country.”
A police officer puts razor wire around a temporary camp – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
As more people arrived at the site, the Mayor of Durban announced that the city would install an overflow facility to ease overcrowding.
March on March was founded by Jacinta Ngobse-Zuma, a former local radio presenter.
“We cannot turn South Africa into a refugee destination for all failed African countries,” he told the BBC earlier this year.
“Every country puts its citizens first and we want the South African government to do the same.”
Shaznia, from Malawai, bathes in a bucket inside a makeshift camp – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
The organization denies xenophobia and says it is not responsible for anti-foreigner violence.
“A lot of people in my neighborhood support the march and the march,” said a local passing through the park.
“I feel personal sympathy for them (Malawians) in these circumstances, but immigration is a bigger issue. These are jobs that South Africans can do.”
Ten thousand foreigners are now believed to have gathered outside the hall in Durban – Tommy Trenchard for The Telegraph
Sirika Thomson Banda, a 36-year-old tailor, said he and his wife, Hazira Musa, had been waiting for 10 days to return home.
“I am here because South Africans are chasing us to go home. We are waiting for our government to see our suffering,” he said.
“(South Africans) are coming here and threatening us, scaring us.
“Enough. Life is bigger than anything. We've been through this not once, but twice, and I'm going home.”
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