Safety fears on all sides as Durban tensions escalate

JOHANNESBURG - March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says South Africans have become increasingly desperate.

Amid a rise in foreign nationals living in local communities, Ngobese-Zuma says many feel the need to protect themselves.

"We all have problems, but we don't run elsewhere and ask for help," she says.

Foreign nationals gathered at the Durban Central Police Station on Tuesday, requesting protection.

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They claim they were chased from their homes and feared for their lives. 

They were later removed from the police station and have since been camping outside the Diakonia Centre.

Ngobese-Zuma says anti-immigration groups also feel unsafe.

Meanwhile, a group of foreign nationals has been ordered to vacate the Durban inner city by 11am on Thursday.

READ: 'We owe them nothing' - Anti-illegal immigration group not backing down

They have been camping outside the Diakonia Centre seeking shelter and protection since Tuesday night.

The Department of Home Affairs is expected to conduct an oversight visit to verify the group’s refugee status.

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