A three-month-old baby was found in a drug-infested flat in Durban, prompting anti-immigrant activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba to highlight the urgent need for discussions on illegal immigration and child welfare.
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A three-month-old baby was discovered in a flat in Umbilo, Durban, on Thursday during an operation led by anti-immigrant activist Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba.
The operation formed part of an initiative by Ndabandaba’s group, which has called on undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa by June 30.
Speaking at the scene, Ndabandaba described the conditions inside the flat as alarming and alleged that vulnerable children were being exploited there.
“When we got here, we could not locate the mother of the infant. We then decided to take the baby to the Umbilo police station,” he said.
Following advice from police, the child was taken to hospital for medical check-ups because of the conditions in which the baby was found.
A female supporter accompanying Ndabandaba volunteered to act as the baby’s guardian.
“I offered to buy clothes and food for the baby. Fortunately, a woman with us volunteered to be the child’s guardian. We do not know the whereabouts of the baby’s mother.
“Once the baby is released from hospital, the woman will take guardianship of the child, and we will provide care,” Ndabandaba said.
He used the incident to defend the operations of his group, saying such situations motivated their campaign against illegal immigration.
“Whoever is saying we are xenophobic, whoever is saying we are barbaric and unskilled, this is the reason why I’m standing up for the country. Can a small child like this live in conditions like this? It is not right,” he said.
Ndabandaba’s organisation, which is closely aligned with the March and March movement led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, previously set June 30 as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
The deadline was initially announced on December 7, 2025, and, according to Ndabandaba, was intended to give undocumented migrants time to prepare for their departure.
“We are not suggesting that on the 30th, South Africans will demand that foreigners leave. We issued this date to allow for planning because we know they have families, but they are still illegal,” he said.
He said that the objective of the deadline was to encourage engagement between citizens and political leaders on what he described as a border security crisis.
“We want a direct sit-down with the country’s highest structures to find a lasting legislative and law enforcement solution,” Ndabandaba said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police could not comment on the matter.
“As the police, we can’t comment on this matter,” Netshiunda said.
DAILY NEWS