Authorities have completed the verification process for approximately 300 foreign nationals who had been sheltering outside the Diakonia Council of Churches centre in Durban.
The group is now being temporarily accommodated at a refugee shelter after their immigration status was reviewed by officials from the Department of Home Affairs.
Earlier this week, the migrants spent several nights outside the Durban Central Police Station before relocating to the Diakonia Centre in search of safety and humanitarian assistance.
On Thursday afternoon, the group was transported to local Home Affairs offices, where officials checked permits and verified each individual’s legal status in the country.
Cyril Xaba has appealed to communities to accept those confirmed to be legally residing in South Africa.
“Only one out of 300 was found to be undocumented,” Xaba said.
“That person has been arrested and will appear before a magistrate for deportation proceedings.”
The situation follows rising tensions and anti-immigrant protests in parts of Durban, which forced many foreign nationals to seek temporary refuge.