More than 70 Zimbabwean foreign nationals, including women and young children, are currently waiting to be deported to Zimbabwe at the Middelburg Long Distance Taxi Rank.

The group is awaiting transport to their consulate in Johannesburg before being repatriated to Zimbabwe following the March and March protest on Tuesday.

According to Middelburg United Long Distance Taxi Association (MULDTA) chairman, Jeremiah Kgopane, the influx began last Thursday after the protests led local landlords to remove illegal foreign nationals.

The taxi rank has evolved from a transit hub into a temporary sanctuary and clearing zone, and the MULDTA said they’ve been managing the evacuation.

“Transport operations kicked off last week, with four buses departing last Thursday and an additional two last Friday, all heading to the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg,” said Kgopane.

“By Wednesday, transport efforts peaked when 176 people were cleared, leaving that night.”

A total of 12 22-seater buses have been deployed throughout the week to transport displaced families to Zimbabwe, with an initial group of 145 people departing early on in the crisis, according to Kgopane.

He explained that the association views the protection of these vulnerable foreign nationals as an extension of their service.

“It is our duty to look after our customers; this is like an airport. It serves as a neutral zone where Home Affairs and embassy officials can check documents and clear people before they leave,” he added.

However, the repatriation process has faced logistical hurdles.

Last Sunday, operations briefly ground to a halt when the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg ran out of shelter space, prompting them to ask MULDTA to hold the evacuees temporarily in Middelburg, where they were safe.

The March and March disrupted proceedings, preventing embassy officials from reaching the rank on Tuesday.

Kgopane said a new group of over 70 adults, alongside many unregistered infants and toddlers, arrived late on Wednesday.

“Many of these families have been camping at the taxi rank since last night. You cannot leave women and children stranded. The little thing that we could do is provide food for them and keep them secure,” he emphasised.

The stranded foreign nationals are reportedly waiting for the next scheduled repatriation, expected to depart on either Saturday or next Thursday.