LIMPOPO – The repatriation of undocumented immigrants is intensifying across South Africa as the Border Management Authority, the Department of Home Affairs, and the embassies of Malawi and Zimbabwe accelerate processing at the Musina repatriation centers. While thousands of foreign nationals are being processed for deportation, humanitarian organizations emphasize the critical need to maintain dignity and safety for those awaiting transport from gathering points like the Thohoyandou police station and the Epping Refugee Center.
Operations at Musina and Beitbridge
The Border Management Authority, the Home Affairs department, and the embassies of Malawi and Zimbabwe are actively continuing the processing, deportation, and repatriation of undocumented immigrants at two centers in Musina. Concurrently, undocumented immigrants arriving from various parts of the country continue to reach the refugee and repatriation centers located at the Beitbridge Border Post.
According to the spokesperson for the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, between 25,000 and 30,000 people are currently going through this repatriation process. The highest numbers of Malawian, Zimbabwean, and Congolese nationals have descended on various facilities, with Malawian and Zimbabwean nationals primarily being directed to Musina. The spokesperson noted that the operation is one of the largest in the country, following the scheduled closure of the Epping Refugee Center in Cape Town, which previously served as a major hub for thousands seeking embassy assistance.
Gatherings at Thohoyandou Police Station
In Limpopo, a group of approximately 160 undocumented Zimbabwean immigrants gathered outside the Thohoyandou police station, camping overnight in cold winter conditions while awaiting assistance. The individuals, including 114 children, reported feeling unsafe following the June 30 marches and expressed a strong desire to return home to ensure their children’s safety.
Many had been chased from their rented accommodations by landlords who feared repercussions for aiding undocumented immigrants or facing police checks. During their stay, the group faced shortages of blankets, water, and toilets. Local vendors provided water and access to hired toilet facilities, while the police offered protection at the site.
Consular Assistance and Transport Challenges
To facilitate their movement to the Musina repatriation camp, a Zimbabwean national assisting the group coordinated with the chairperson of the Zimbabwean consulate in the province and a representative from Zim Diaspora for ED to arrange transport.
While one bus provided by the Zimbabwean consulate arrived to board the group, it was deemed insufficient for the number of people waiting. The chairperson of the Zimbabwean consulate confirmed that the government and Zim Diaspora for ED were actively communicating to resolve the logistics, resulting in the dispatch of an additional bus to accommodate everyone.
Humanitarian Conditions and Delays
The humanitarian realities of the repatriation of undocumented immigrants extend far beyond the logistics of transport. Beyond the political and legal debates, the process involves families packing up their belongings and children leaving schools they have attended for years, leaving parents uncertain about the future. For many, repatriation represents the loss of a livelihood, a community, and hope for a better future.
The spokesperson for Gift of the Givers highlighted that the journey is highly frustrating for families. In the Western Cape, thousands of people, many of them mothers with young babies, were forced to stand in inclement weather with 60% rain for up to 12 hours without accommodation. Some individuals waited for up to seven days for buses, and several women gave birth at the camps. In one instance, a man reportedly walked for 12 hours from his evacuation point to reach a processing center in Cape Town.
Furthermore, while Home Affairs processing is reportedly swift, delays are occurring because embassies are taking too long to issue travel documents. Bus companies are also overwhelmed, with some vehicles failing rigorous roadworthiness checks or lacking the necessary inter-country documentation, further stranding waiting immigrants.
Security Concerns and Calls for Empathy
Security remains a critical concern during the ongoing operations. The spokesperson for Gift of the Givers confirmed that two foreign nationals have been killed in the Musina area, while close to 520 people have been repatriated recently.
Emphasizing that dignity must remain at the center of any response regardless of the political climate surrounding immigration, the spokesperson appealed for empathy and unity. Drawing parallels to the apartheid era, when many South Africans fled to neighboring countries for safety, the spokesperson urged the public to avoid violence and be mindful of women and children. Foreign nationals facing threats are strongly advised to make their way to the nearest police station, where disaster management teams have made arrangements to ensure their safety and facilitate their return home.
