The eThekwini Municipality says it was unprepared for the scale of the humanitarian operation at the old Durban Drive-in, triggered by the influx of Malawian nationals seeking repatriation.
The municipality’s COO Lindo Mkhize says the city had to convert a commercial events venue into a temporary transit site almost overnight.
She says officials battled to provide water, sanitation, electricity and security, while relying on businesses and volunteers to help feed thousands of people.
Mkhize says thousands of Malawian nationals have since been repatriated from the site, with the municipality now focused on closing the facility.
“Now and again, we would have somebody cutting off the electricity late at night and have to call out people to come and make sure that they turn the power back. There were incidences where water was let to run out and we’ve had to have plumbers on site to try and assist with turnaround time if there is a maintenance issue,” explains Mkhize.
“When we were having a lot of people waiting outside. The fence was being cut off or others wanting to move the fence, but our teams responded quick and fast to make sure that we repaired the fence and put the fence in well-running order.”-Reporting by Gcinokuhle Malinga
30 June | Update on repatriation of Malawian nationals
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