Durban: The eThekwini Municipality has assured investor partners that the temporary use of the city's drive-in site as a staging and processing facility for undocumented foreign nationals will not interfere with the site's long-term development plans. These plans include a proposed amusement park project, which remains on track.
According to South African Government News Agency, the municipality stated that the current operations are part of a short-term, coordinated national government intervention expected to conclude by 30 June 2026. This timeline will allow eThekwini to continue pursuing transformative investment opportunities for the site.
The municipality emphasized in a statement that the facility is not a permanent accommodation center. It is being used primarily as a processing and transit hub to support operations led by the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, and other relevant government stakeholders. The intervention includes both repatriation and deportation processes, each governed by distinct legal and operational requirements.
Repatriation occurs when an individual's country of origin facilitates and funds their return, whereas deportation is a legal process undertaken by the South African government. Under South African law, individuals facing deportation must first appear before a court, which must confirm and authorize the deportation order.
To expedite the process, the government has established two virtual courts at the Sherwood facility and five dedicated physical courts in the Durban central business district. As of 18 June 2026, a total of 1,396 individuals had been successfully processed through these initiatives, including 62 deportations. Four additional buses are scheduled to depart as part of the ongoing deportation program.
The municipality noted that these measures are significantly reducing the number of individuals requiring processing and temporary accommodation. Based on the current operational plan and ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders, the temporary use of the Drive-In Site is expected to end by the specified date.
The municipality is also assessing contingency arrangements to protect the site's long-term development prospects and strategic economic value. It remains committed to the proposed amusement park investment, which is expected to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, strengthen Durban's tourism offering, and deliver lasting benefits to the region.
The municipality expressed gratitude for the confidence shown by investor partners and emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparent communication as the investment project progresses.