Scores of immigrant families have begun returning to their countries of origin nearly a week after fleeing their homes amid safety concerns in parts of South Africa’s Overberg region.
Approximately 150 Mozambican and Malawian nationals boarded buses departing from Kleinmond on Friday as part of a voluntary repatriation process coordinated by municipal authorities. Officials reported that about 90 percent of individuals processed in community halls across Kleinmond, Stanford, and Gansbaai were found to be undocumented.
The departures mark the end of a difficult week for many families, who spent days sleeping in community facilities after leaving their homes due to fears for their safety. Among those departing was Precious, who indicated that additional family members are expected to leave in the coming days. “Sometimes I feel good, sometimes I feel bad,” Precious shared. “Even our family said it’s better must come back. We’re going to see what we can do for you.”
In Stanford, located nearly 60 kilometers from Kleinmond, displaced foreign nationals packed their belongings while awaiting transport. One Mozambican national, who has resided in South Africa since 2010, expressed that he felt he had no choice but to leave the country.
A former community leader in the Die Kop informal settlement addressed the underlying tensions, stating that residents have long opposed undocumented foreign nationals living or building homes in the area. The former leader emphasized that the community’s stance is not rooted in discrimination but rather in efforts to preserve limited resources and opportunities for South African citizens.
The recent anti-immigration protests have reignited broader debate around the Immigration Act and social cohesion. Community advocates have stressed the importance of ensuring that immigration matters are handled through proper national channels rather than by citizens taking matters into their own hands. “It’s so important that we look at the documented and undocumented and that things are done in a proper way because we have national agencies that are actually responsible for this type of thing,” one observer noted, adding that increased visits from immigration officials to local businesses had been occurring even before the recent unrest.
As municipal workers cleared community halls following the repatriation of more than 150 people, additional foreign nationals continued to arrive seeking assistance to return to their countries of origin. The voluntary repatriation process remains ongoing as authorities work to address both humanitarian concerns and regulatory compliance in the region.
