The Refugee Appeals Authority (RAA) has called on asylum seekers in Durban to collect notices relating to their pending appeals, while concerns continue to mount over the conditions faced by displaced foreign nationals in the city.
The appeal comes as asylum seekers currently staying at the Durban Refugee Reception Centre, after previously sleeping outside the Diakonia Centre in Durban's CBD, await the outcome of their immigration cases.
According to the RAA, appellants are ordinarily entitled to receive at least 30 days' notice before a hearing. However, applicants are being asked to consent to a shortened 10-day notice period in an effort to accelerate the hearing and finalisation of outstanding appeals.
The authority warned that individuals who fail to collect their notices risk having their appeals decided based solely on the documentation already on record.
The developments come amid an escalating humanitarian situation involving hundreds of displaced Malawian nationals who are currently sheltering at the Sherwood Sports Ground in Durban after reportedly being forced out of several informal settlements.
Ward councillor Warren Byrne said the group arrived at the facility on Sunday and that local businesses, community members and aid organisations have stepped in to provide emergency assistance.
"The situation is intended to be temporary. Initially, it was hoped it would only be three days. I expect it's going to go a bit longer than that, but assistance is expected to continue until Saturday. It is hoped that buses will transport the group by then," Byrne said.
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has been assisting those affected, providing approximately 240 women and children with blankets, mattresses and drinking water.
Gift of the Givers representative Bilal Jeewa said many of the displaced Malawian nationals are carrying all of their belongings and are living in difficult conditions while awaiting possible repatriation.
"The Malawian government has reportedly undertaken to send buses to return them to Malawi. Most, if not all, of those at the shelter are undocumented and do not possess passports or legal documentation permitting them to remain in South Africa," Jeewa said.
The latest developments follow similar scenes in recent weeks, when hundreds of foreign nationals slept outside the Diakonia Centre before being relocated to the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, where many remain.
Jeewa described the situation as a growing humanitarian crisis, highlighting the lack of basic services and adequate shelter for vulnerable families.
"The sad reality is that there are no ablution facilities available. People are forced to relieve themselves wherever they can find privacy or shelter. This is a crisis, and there needs to be intervention from government or the municipality to provide more humane temporary accommodation," he said.
Authorities and humanitarian organisations continue to monitor the situation as efforts are made to process asylum appeals and find longer-term solutions for those displaced.