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🇿🇼 Zimbabwe /Conflict & Security

'Better to Be Safe Than Sorry' - 1,800 Zimbabweans Seek Repatriation from South Africa

From AllAfrica Zimbabwe · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Approximately 1,800 Zimbabweans are seeking repatriation from South Africa due to fears of violence against immigrants.
  • Displaced families, including women and children, spent nights in difficult conditions at a refugee center and near the Zimbabwean Consulate.
  • Organizations like Gift of the Givers are providing essential aid, while authorities work to process the large group for their return.

Around 1,800 displaced Zimbabweans are currently being processed for repatriation from Cape Town, South Africa, following fears of escalating anti-immigrant violence. Many have fled their homes in rural towns like Robertson, seeking safety and a return to their home country.

Most of us are fearing for our lives. It's better to be safe than sorry. That's why we decided to leave the country.

— Spray VumdiExplaining the reasons for seeking repatriation due to safety concerns.

Displaced families, particularly women and children, endured harsh conditions, spending nights sleeping in the rain near the Zimbabwean Consulate before being relocated to the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Epping. Men reportedly stayed outside the center while women and children were housed inside. On Monday morning, scores of people were seen drying their belongings in the street, with police monitoring the situation.

"Most of us are fearing for our lives. It's better to be safe than sorry. That's why we decided to leave the country," said Spray Vumdi, a Zimbabwean who had lived in Cape Town for four years. He expressed a desire for greater unity among Africans, stating, "If Africans can unite and be one, I think it would be much better. We could build our nation together, rather than fighting one another."

If Africans can unite and be one, I think it would be much better. We could build our nation together, rather than fighting one another.

— Spray VumdiExpressing a hope for African unity amidst inter-community tensions.

Ndinzwei Marimba, who worked on a farm in Robertson, shared her fear and distress: "We are very scared. Our landlord said we must go home. We have children here. They are very hungry; we don't have money." Organizations such as Gift of the Givers are providing crucial support, including hot meals, baby packs, and hygiene products, to those at the refugee center. Home Affairs has deployed additional officials to expedite the processing, and tents have been erected to offer temporary shelter.

We are very scared. Our landlord said we must go home. We have children here. They are very hungry; we don't have money.

— Ndinzwei MarimbaDescribing the difficult circumstances and fears faced by displaced Zimbabwean families.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by AllAfrica Zimbabwe in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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