Thousands of Zimbabwean Migrants Left Homeless After Repatriation Center Closure

Premier's and Provincial Government Statements

Premier Alan Windé thanked all participants in the operation, noting that the joint work of all levels of government, humanitarian organizations, religious institutions, transport providers, and local communities led to achieving a common humanitarian goal. He also expressed gratitude to the Directorate of International Relations for initiating contact with affected foreign missions. The Premier added that temporary facilities established to support the operation have been dismantled, and normal operations are resuming.

The provincial government clarified that municipalities will no longer handle the logistics of transporting foreign nationals. A statement was made that reports of free transport services after the current date are false. Foreign nationals needing assistance are advised to contact their embassies or consulates directly and use standard immigration procedures administered by the Department of Home Affairs.

Situation in Epping and NGO Assistance

Dr. Naiem Katrada, head of the medical department of Gift of the Givers (GoTG) in the Western Cape, reported that the refugee repatriation center in Epping was closed early Sunday morning, but people who arrived late on Friday and Saturday were still there. Katrada said that on Sunday they tried to organize buses, but confusion arose with drivers and payment, causing the buses to leave. He noted that around noon that day, five buses were ready for boarding, but they were waiting for travel documents for these people from the Zimbabwean High Commissioner.

He also mentioned that GoTG provided three meals a day for the people on site, and the Emergency Medical Service was present at the repatriation center. Katrada advised those nearby to seek medical help from the GoTG team. He reported that people were informed not to come to Epping to avoid situations like in 'Paint City'. Some people have already reached the repatriation center in Musina. Katrada concluded that people were informed that further transportation would not be provided, and it was safer for them to remain in their areas, contacting local police or law enforcement in case of threats.

Criticism of the Repatriation Process

ACN in Limpopo warned that the temporary repatriation center in Musina should not become a permanent facility. This warning is contained in a statement published on July 1, 2026, reflecting the outcomes of the ACN Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee meeting on June 29, 2026. The Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina (TRPC) was established following a decision by the Interdepartmental Migration Committee (IMC) on June 26 to relocate repatriation operations from Etxvini, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), to Limpopo. The IMC is chaired by Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi, and includes Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber.

A representative of Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign KZN, Yeshelen Govender, stated that while they 'approve every civic, public, humanitarian organization that filled the vacuum left by the state,' this repatriation process showed them that it is a 'very harsh approach to people considered non-South Africans.' He emphasized that it is evident that the state is willing to dedicate significant time and effort to processes aimed at quickly removing people from the country. Govender pointed to limited state assistance, noting that civil groups like Gift of the Givers are forced to hire buses themselves to transport migrants to Musina from Durban.

Planned Oversight Visit

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs will commence a two-day oversight visit on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to the temporary repatriation centers in Musina, Limpopo, as well as the Beitbridge crossing point. This visit is being conducted in response to events that occurred after the deadline of June 30, 2026, set by various anti-immigration groups, which led to an urgent humanitarian and administrative situation affecting Malawian citizens and other illegally residing foreigners in South Africa. In response to these events, temporary repatriation centers were established in Musina to facilitate the processing and voluntary repatriation of affected persons. As part of its constitutional oversight duties, the committee will assess the readiness and operational capacity of the temporary repatriation centers, including the adequacy of administrative processes and coordination between relevant government departments and structures.