LIMPOPO – Thousands of foreign nationals continue to be processed at the temporary repatriation centre in Musina as the country intensifies efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of undocumented foreign nationals to their home countries.

The operation, which began on June 30, comes amid growing anti-immigration tensions and xenophobic threats across the country, with many undocumented migrants opting to return voluntarily to countries such as Zimbabwe and Malawi.

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Steady influx of migrants

The Musina Repatriation Centre, which became operational on July 3, continues to receive a steady influx of migrants from all provinces. Queues have formed daily as officials verify identities and process arrivals.

When the Herald visited the centre on Friday, buses carrying migrants arrived throughout the day. More than 36,000 Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals had registered for voluntary repatriation. Humanitarian organisations, including Gift of the Givers, are providing food parcels, toiletries and other basic necessities to people awaiting repatriation.

Working with embassies

Department of Home Affairs chief director Albert Matsaung said the department was working closely with the Zimbabwean and Malawian embassies to ensure the process runs smoothly.

“We still have a sizeable number of Zimbabweans and Malawians arriving at the centre. We continue to receive information from across the country that groups of people are gathering with the intention of being transported here,” he said, adding that migrants had arrived from Bloemfontein, Mpumalanga, Cape Town, Durban and other parts of the Western Cape.

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3 wanted suspects arrested

Matsaung also confirmed that three people wanted for armed robbery, murder and rape had been arrested while attempting to leave the country through the repatriation process. He said the police conduct daily background checks to ensure wanted suspects do not evade justice.

Attacked on June 30

One foreign national, Daniel Mutongorwa, who had worked as a gardener in Cape Town for the past 10 years, said he decided to return to Malawi after being attacked on June 30.

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He claimed members of the March and March movement shot him twice and stole his belongings.

136 000 food parcels distributed

Gift of the Givers representative Clifford Mabe said the organisation had distributed more than 136 000 food parcels since the centre opened.