LIMPOPO – The temporary repatriation processing centre outside Musina officially concluded its deportation and repatriation operations and closed on Sunday.

Representatives from various embassies were seen leaving the centre at the Musina farm, while officials from the Department of Home Affairs and the police vacated the facility.

The closure marks the end of a major temporary repatriation operation that processed tens of thousands of undocumented foreign nationals over several months.

More than 68 000 processed since June

Home Affairs chief director Albert Matsaung said more than 68 000 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, were processed and repatriated through the centre since its establishment in June.

The facility was established amid anti-illegal immigration protests and was intended to facilitate orderly and voluntary departures.

Migrants arrived from across SA

Large numbers of undocumented migrants from Zimbabwe and Malawi were transported to Musina by bus from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Western Cape and parts of Limpopo from June.

Some foreign nationals were also reportedly chased away by local communities in the Vhembe district amid fears of violence and xenophobic attacks.

The temporary centre provided accommodation in large tents, while police and emergency personnel were deployed to maintain order.

The Department of Home Affairs also established a mobile office at the site to speed up the processing of documentation and repatriations.

Humanitarian organisations, including Gift of the Givers, and other stakeholders provided food, blankets and other assistance to migrants at the facility.

Withdrawal underway

As the centre closes, the various government departments and service providers involved in the operation are withdrawing.

Matsaung said the remaining government departments would also pull out, while service providers responsible for establishing and maintaining the temporary structures were expected to withdraw by tomorrow (August 26).