The death of Bienvenue Munga has raised fresh concerns about the health of hundreds of refugees living on Che Guevara Road, amid claims that some have struggled to take chronic medication while living rough.
Image: XOLILE MTEMBU
A documented refugee has died of tuberculosis (TB) after spending more than three months living on a Durban pavement, with refugee leaders alleging his treatment was disrupted because he did not have proper access to food and shelter.
Bienvenue Munga died on Monday after allegedly struggling to follow his TB treatment while living with hundreds of other refugees on Che Guevara Road (old Moore Road).
Refugee leadership said Munga had been among hundreds of people who have been living on the street since May 22, after they were forced from their homes by groups they described as “fascist mobs”.
“He had not been able to stick to his TB treatment routine because he was forced to live on the pavement. He also didn't have access to the appropriate meal support for chronic patients,” they said.
According to the refugees, about 500 people initially sought sanctuary, but the number has since fallen to around 250 as some allegedly fled to other parts of the country in search of safety.
The group claimed they initially approached police for protection but were allegedly instead subjected to attacks and document checks.
They alleged that after their documents were verified, they were promised safe accommodation, but that this promise had not been fulfilled.
“We have been on the street through winter, and in the rain. Many of us are seriously ill,” the refugee leadership said.
The group further claimed that people on chronic medication had struggled to take their treatment correctly because some medication needed to be taken with food.
They said NGOs and other supporters had kept the group supplied with food, while accusing the state of failing to provide basic necessities including water, food, sanitary pads, medication and blankets.
The refugees also alleged that they had faced repeated threats and attempted attacks from anti-migrant groups.
The Department of Home Affairs has previously rejected the suggestion that the government had failed to provide options to the refugees.
Deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi said in July that the government had repeatedly encouraged the group to return to the communities where they had lived before occupying the area outside the Refugee Reception Centre.
“The government has consistently encouraged these individuals to return to the communities where they were residing prior to occupying the area outside the Refugee Reception Centre,” Baloyi said.
He said the refugees had also been offered accommodation at Lindela, but had allegedly rejected the option.
“They have also declined the option of being accommodated at the Lindela Repatriation Centre, which is the only Department of Home Affairs facility with the infrastructure and capacity to temporarily accommodate persons in a safe and secure environment,” Baloyi said.
Baloyi said the government would therefore not establish a separate reintegration programme for those who had rejected the options presented to them.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration is therefore not developing a separate reintegration programme for individuals who have voluntarily declined the available options presented by the government,” he said.
The refugee leadership has strongly opposed being moved to the Lindela Repatriation Centre, describing it as a “violent and corrupt prison” where people are taken before deportation.
They claimed they were documented refugees and argued that deporting them would violate international law.
According to the group, the United Nations had previously advised them not to accept being forced to Lindela, but they now claim they have been told there are no other options.
In what the refugees described as a desperate decision, 105 people have allegedly agreed to go to Lindela.
The remaining refugees said they would stay on Che Guevara Road because they could neither return to their countries of origin nor to the communities from which they claimed they had been expelled.
“We are remaining with a clear demand that the state must keep its promise to ensure that we have safe places to live,” the leadership said.
They have also issued an urgent appeal for support from organisations and individuals sympathetic to their cause.
IOL
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