As the coordinated humanitarian support operation to repatriate foreign nationals shifts to Musina, the government has not escaped scrutiny over their “inhumane” process, with thousands still stranded.
This scrutiny is expected to intensify with the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs undertaking a two-day urgent oversight visit.
The Western Cape Government on Sunday announced that together with municipalities, national government departments, humanitarian organisations, faith-based partners and law enforcement agencies, have “successfully concluded” in assisting foreign nationals who voluntarily elected to return to their countries of origin.
“All individuals who presented at municipal facilities and the Department of Home Affairs’ Epping offices in Cape Town have departed following extensive verification, registration and logistical planning undertaken by the department and supporting partners. Dozens of buses were procured for this purpose,” they said.
Premier Alan Winde thanked all contributing stakeholders: “This operation demonstrated what can be achieved when all spheres of government, humanitarian organisations, religious institutions, transport providers and local communities work together towards a common humanitarian objective… I am also deeply grateful for the engagements our International Relations Directorate initiated with affected foreign missions.”
The premier added that temporary facilities established to support the operation have now been demobilised and normal operations are resuming.
The provincial government added that no further transport logistics will be undertaken by municipalities for the purposes of repatriating foreign nationals.
“Reports of free transport services after today are incorrect. Foreign nationals requiring assistance are encouraged to engage directly with their respective embassies or consulates and to utilise normal immigration processes administered by the Department of Home Affairs.”
Head of Medical for Gift of the Givers (GoTG) Western Cape, Dr Naeem Kathrada, said that from early Sunday morning, the Epping Refugee Repatriation Centre was closed, but that there were people who had come in late on Friday and Saturday.
“We tried to organise buses on Sunday, but there was a bit of confusion with the drivers and payment. So we had all the buses, but then the buses pulled out. I was there today at around lunchtime, and there were five buses that were ready to load people.
“We were just waiting on the Zimbabwe Consular-General to issue travel documents for those people… We were hoping to have everyone out and on buses tonight (Monday),” Kathrada said.
He said that GoTG had provided the people on the scene with three meals a day, and that Emergency Medical Services was there at the repatriation centre.
“Those who were outside at Gunners Circle, and if there were any issues, could come forward, and we as Gifts of the Givers would have gotten our medical teams to help them.”
He said that those in the vicinity got the message that they needed “to tell other countrymen not to come to Epping, because that was an issue where people were constantly coming in, and at some stage we needed to make a cutoff”.
“Otherwise, it would carry on with something like Paint City and things like that.”
He added that some of the people have already reached the reparation centre in Musina.
“I think the message has gone out that nobody else is going to be transported and that you are safer in your area. If there are any threats or intimidation, best to contact your local police station or law enforcement, and then have them get in contact with your country’s consular.”
The ANC in Limpopo has warned that the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre must not become a permanent fixture. The warning is contained in a statement on the outcomes of the ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held on June 29, 2026, released on Wednesday, July 1.
The Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) was established after the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration resolved on June 26 to relocate repatriation operations from a site in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), to Limpopo. The IMC is chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and includes Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign KZN spokesperson, Yeshelen Govender, said that while they “commend every civil society organisation, community organisation, humanitarian organisation that stepped in to fill the void that the state has left”, this repatriation process has illustrated to them that this was “a very callous approach to people who are regarded as other than South Africa”.
“I would honestly say if you look at the photographs and stuff that you have seen from these repatriation camps. It has been clear that these migrants, documented or undocumented, have been kept in absolutely inhumane conditions.
“And it is very clear from the conduct of the State that the State is willing to devote a lot of time and effort to processes which will ensure the speedy removal of people from this country.
He called out the limited help from the State as “what’s ended up happening is civil society groups like Gift of the Givers have ended up hiring buses to move migrants to Musina, from Durban”.
Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will, from Tuesday, 7 July 2026, undertake a two-day oversight visit to temporary repatriation centres in Musina, Limpopo, as well as the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
“The oversight visit follows developments arising from the 30 June 2026 deadline issued by various anti-immigrant groups, which have resulted in an urgent humanitarian and administrative situation affecting Malawian nationals and other foreign nationals residing illegally in South Africa. In response to these developments, temporary repatriation centres have been established in Musina to facilitate the processing and voluntary repatriation of affected individuals.
“As part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities, the committee will assess the state of preparedness and operational capacity of the temporary repatriation centres, including the adequacy of administrative processes and the coordination among relevant government departments and entities.”
Theolin Tembo
iol.co.za