CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — As anti-immigration protests escalate across South Africa, a growing number of Zimbabwean nationals are gathering outside the Zimbabwean consulate in Cape Town to request voluntary repatriation. The surge in individuals seeking to return home highlights the increasing tensions and anxieties surrounding the upcoming June 30th compliance deadline for foreign nationals.
The atmosphere outside the consulate has become increasingly desperate, according to migrants at the scene. Since early morning, men, women, and children have arrived from various parts of the Western Cape, traveling from towns as far as Robertson, Worcester, and Hermanus. A preliminary headcount estimated at least 120 adults at the site, excluding the numerous children present. Many of the migrants are fleeing their current communities out of fear of not being welcomed, citing the rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. Those waiting hope to be transported back to Zimbabwe as early as tonight or tomorrow.
This current gathering follows a recent wave of voluntary returns. Over the past weekend, at least three buses were deployed to transport Zimbabwean migrants back across the border. Prior to their departure, these individuals had temporarily relocated to a local church in Woodstock, where they underwent processing by the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, and Zimbabwean officials. Reports indicate that approximately 200 of the individuals repatriated last week did not possess legal permits to remain in South Africa.
Despite the mass exodus, not all Zimbabweans are choosing to leave. One Zimbabwean woman, speaking as a spokesperson for the migrants at the consulate, stated her intention to remain in South Africa because her legal documentation is in order. She emphasized the importance of maintaining lawful status and doing the right thing by renewing passports before they expire. She noted that while locals in Cape Town have generally been kind to migrants and she has not personally experienced unrest or violence, she agreed with the decision of those choosing to leave. She expressed that individuals without proper papers—especially those with children—should return home to avoid living in fear and to ensure their families’ safety.
