WATCH: Chaos erupts at Sherwood as Malawians clash with police over deportation delays

By Charmaine Ndlela

Chaos erupted at Durban’s Sherwood Park on Wednesday after hundreds of Malawian nationals clashed with police during a protest over delays in their repatriation from South Africa.

Police fired stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets after tensions escalated when officials from the Department of Home Affairs attempted to move migrants into Sherwood Hall for document verification and processing.

The group, which has been camping at the site for weeks, is demanding direct transportation back to Malawi and has rejected plans to first transfer them to the Lindela Repatriation Centre.

According to eyewitness reporters, the situation spiralled out of control after Home Affairs officials addressed the crowd and urged them to enter the hall so verification processes could continue. The crowd refused and Chaos erupted as they started throwing stones, fighting police officials, demanding to be repatriated back to their country 

Some protesters allegedly pelted police with objects, damaged vehicles and blocked nearby roads, while chanting: “No Lindela, we want to go straight home.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were injuries during the confrontation.

The unrest comes as frustration grows among the estimated 6,500 Malawian nationals currently gathered at Sherwood Park, with more reportedly arriving daily.

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According to government officials, many of those at the site are undocumented migrants seeking assistance to return home. However, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel revealed that more than 1,800 people processed at the camp were found to have