CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — More than 300 Zimbabwean nationals currently gathered in Cape Town are urgently awaiting repatriation to their home country as anxieties escalate ahead of the June 30 protests. With South African Home Affairs and Zimbabwean officials initiating verification processes, religious leaders and advocates on the ground are calling for improved coordination to manage the growing humanitarian crisis.
The migrants initially congregated outside the Zimbabwean Consulate in Cape Town, enduring the harsh winter rain and cold temperatures in makeshift tents or out in the open. To manage the crowd, authorities relocated the individuals to the Home Affairs Refugee Center in Epping, where processing for their return has commenced. However, the facility is struggling to cope with the sudden influx, with reports indicating that the designated feeding areas are flooding due to the severe weather.
Religious leaders assisting the migrants have heavily criticized the lack of preparation by both the South African and Zimbabwean governments. Reverend Sikawu Makubalo, who is actively involved in the relief efforts, described the current exodus not as a self-voluntary process, but rather as “coerced voluntary repatriation.” He noted that the Zimbabwean government was entirely caught off guard by the sheer volume of people seeking to return, drawing parallels to the xenophobic crises of 2008. According to Reverend Makubalo, authorities should have anticipated the movement and implemented a well-coordinated, structured plan rather than reacting at the last minute.
Despite official descriptions labeling the movement as voluntary, advocates argue that the reality on the ground paints a vastly different picture. Reverend Makubalo highlighted that communities and parents are terrified, driven to seek urgent exit plans by escalating anti-illegal immigration rhetoric. He expressed concern that governments might be waiting for a major disaster to occur on the June 30 deadline before taking decisive action, urging civil society, businesses, and government bodies to intervene swiftly to ensure the safe return of the migrants.
The logistical rollout has faced significant delays, leaving many to spend multiple nights at the Epping center. While three buses departed Cape Town for Zimbabwe late last night, the queue of individuals waiting to be processed continues to grow. Migrants have reported frustration over the inconsistent application of a “first-come, first-served” policy. According to those at the center, priority for boarding is currently being given to women with children. Some individuals who arrived at the consulate as early as Thursday remain stranded over the weekend, realizing they may miss the June 30 window entirely.
For many, the anxiety extends far beyond the immediate deadline. Advocates note that the core issue is the broader fear of living safely in a foreign land amid hostile political rhetoric. As the line at the Epping refugee center lengthens, the immediate focus remains on swiftly moving the most vulnerable while ensuring their protection during the transit process.
