The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) will from today, Thursday, 21 May 2026, conduct a targeted verification process of all the foreign nationals that are currently gathered at the Diakonia Refugee Centre in eThekwini. This operation will be led by an integrated team involving the Departments of Home Affairs (DHA), Social Development, Transport and Law Enforcement in the province.
This follows an engagement between the Southern African Refugee Forum, which represents the foreign nationals that are currently gathered at the centre and senior officials of the NATJOINTS represented by the Department of Home Affairs and Law Enforcement authorities in the province of KwaZulu Natal.
About two hundred foreign nationals have sought refuge at the centre allegedly because they fear for their lives, which is threatened by anti-illegal immigrant groups in their various areas of abode. Working with law enforcement to resolve the dire situation that arose almost two days ago, the NATJOINTS has undertaken to verify the status of all the foreign nationals that are gathered at the centre to determine their legal status in the country.
The NATJOINTS has made it clear that this process is not meant to legitimize the illegal stay of undocumented foreign nationals in the country but to ensure that those who are here legally are duly protected and the undocumented ones are subjected to the immigration laws processes accordingly.
The Provincial Spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said "This process will be conducted with the integrated team of NATJOINTS to ensure that we attend to all the issues associated with this illegal occupation of the centre". He added that those who are found to be in the country illegally will be processed back to their country of origin immediately.
Meanwhile the South African Police Service (SAPS) in eThekwini is following up on various allegations of assault against these foreign nationals and other cases reported relating to intimidation, malicious damage to property and closure of businesses.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phumelela Makoba says all cases that have been reported on this will be duly investigated.
The integrated team has assured members of the public who are concerned about the turn of events that the situation will be resolved as a matter of urgency. They also emphasized that the matter of illegal immigration is receiving continued attention from government.
The SAPS through Operation Shanela and other ongoing crime prevention operations, continues to decisively address illegal immigration and related criminality across the country.
Since 01 January 2026 to date, the SAPS has arrested 29 731 illegal foreign nationals during various high-density operations conducted nationwide.
In the previous financial year, a total of 76 588 illegal foreign nationals were arrested. Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs has deported 59814 undocumented foreign nationals in the past financial year, which is an indication of the intensity of these operations.
These operations are intelligence-driven and are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the laws of our country.
NATJOINTS remains committed to maintaining law and order, safeguarding the country’s borders and ensuring that all persons within South Africa comply with immigration laws
The South African government has repeatedly maintained its position on issues of immigration that:
• South Africa is committed to a rules-based approach to immigration, anchored in the Constitution and the Rule of Law thus balancing national security with our human rights obligations. This ensures dignity and fairness for all.
• Illegal immigration places pressure on public services and social stability and therefore must be addressed through lawful, orderly, and credible state processes. There is no alternative to the rule of law.
• South Africa is modernising its immigration system to make it more secure, efficient, and responsive. Ongoing legal and policy reforms are strengthening governance.
• Violence and acts of intimidation and threats against foreign nationals are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of South Africans or government policy. Criminal acts disguised as activism will not be tolerated in our society and lawlessness will face consequences.
For Media Enquiries: Contact Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KwaZulu Natal Provincial Spokesperson on 082 569 7629 or Major General Nonkululeko Phokane on 083 645 6252, NATJOINTS.
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