eThekwini assures investors Durban Drive-In site project remains on track
The municipality said that as of Thursday, a total of 1 396 individuals had been repatriated, while 62 had been deported.
The eThekwini Municipality has moved to reassure investors that the temporary use of Durban’s Drive-In Site as a processing facility for undocumented foreign nationals will not derail plans for the site’s long-term redevelopment, including a proposed amusement park project.
In a statement issued on Friday, the municipality said the current operation forms part of a short-term national government intervention and is expected to conclude by June 30.
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The city said the site was being used as a staging, processing and transit facility in support of operations led by the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice and other government stakeholders.
According to the city, the intervention involves both repatriation and deportation processes, which are governed by different legal and operational requirements.
Repatriation occurs when an individual’s country of origin facilitates and funds their return home, while deportation is undertaken by the South African government following a court process.
To speed up deportation proceedings, the government has established two virtual courts operating from the Sherwood facility and five dedicated physical courts in the Durban central business district.
The municipality said that as of Thursday, a total of 1 396 individuals had been repatriated, while 62 had been deported.
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Four additional buses were scheduled to depart as part of the ongoing deportation programme.
“These measures are significantly reducing the number of individuals requiring processing and temporary accommodation,” the city said.
Based on the current operational plan and ongoing discussions with government departments, the municipality expects the temporary use of the site to end by June 30.
The city said it was also assessing contingency measures to protect the site’s long-term development prospects and economic value.
The Drive-In Site remains a priority economic development asset, and the City remains fully committed to the proposed amusement park investment.
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The municipality said the planned development is expected to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, strengthen Durban’s tourism offering and provide long-term benefits for the region.
“The City values the confidence shown by its investor partners and remains committed to maintaining transparent communication as this important investment progresses,” the municipality said.
