More foreign nationals arrive at Durban police station for shelter

More foreign nationals have sought shelter in a Durban police station and a mosque following a flare-up of xenophobic violence on Tuesday night.

At least 20 foreign nationals arrived at the mosque in Crescent Street, Overport, after they were targeted by their neighbours in Jadhu Place informal settlement in Springfield Park.

Earlier in the day, the numbers at the Sydenham police station swelled from 50 to more than 100 when foreign nationals were displaced during a "xenophobic attack" at Burnwood informal settlement.

KwaZulu-Natal police on Wednesday confirmed that more foreign nationals sought shelter on Tuesday night. "More foreign nationals went to Sydenham police station for help last night but no serious incidents were reported," said Lt-Col Thulani Zwane.

Hours earlier 50 foreign nationals, including five babies, were displaced when their unemployed neighbours in the Burnwood informal settlement kicked down their doors.

It is believed that the unemployed informal settlement residents were angry that foreign nationals were employed by local companies.  

Sydenham community policing forum spokesman Satish Dhupelia said on Wednesday morning that the displaced foreign nationals were going to be temporarily relocated to a site in Sherwood. 

"We intend to erect tents to provide shelter," he said.

The group slept at the police station on Tuesday night. The local community provided meals and blankets.