A Kenyan stowaway, who was caught while sneaking onto a tanker in Cape Town, will be detained when it docks in Durban on Thursday.

He was collared with three other Tanzanian nationals last week who have already been repatriated.

The Carpe Diem II, which is due to dock at New Pier 103 on Thursday, is bound for the East.

Two independent sources within the security sphere that operates in the Port of Durban confirmed that the ship was expected to enter the port today.

One of the sources, who could not be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, told News24 that the man would be immediately repatriated.

“He is getting a free trip home now after he was caught on the ship trying to hide. It is something we see often because these people know how to exploit South African legislation,” he said.

The source said that once an individual had gained access to a vessel, they were immediately classified as a stowaway and became the responsibility of the shipping company to repatriate.

“They know that if they can just get into the ship and get caught, they will have food and board and a plane ticket home.

“Our borders are so porous and these guys come in overland and then some decide they want to go back and this is an easy way for them,” he added.

“It goes without saying that these guys [illegal immigrants] now fear for their lives and I would think that there will be a rush on the port of Durban.

“The easiest way for them to get home is to be caught on a ship.” News24