Over 300 Zimbabweans await repatriation in Johannesburg
In Johannesburg, South Africa, more than 300 Zimbabwean citizens who were forced to leave their homes after the March and March protests are awaiting repatriation at the former premises of the Zimbabwean consulate in the suburb of Bruma. Most families arrived there from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Vereeniging, Daily Maverick reports.
Stacked furniture and the luggage of displaced families are kept near the building. Community organizations within the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign provide people with food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other assistance.
Water and toilet shortages
Tessa Dooms, a representative of the campaign, said that the Zimbabwean government had regularly arranged buses for people to return over several months, but transport had stopped in recent weeks. According to her, consulate staff did not provide information on when buses would be available again.
Dooms urged the governments of South Africa and Zimbabwe to urgently speed up repatriation. She reported water shortages and only a few toilets, which, in her assessment, pose a serious health risk, especially for children. Ethel Musonza, founder of Zimbabwe Isolated Women in South Africa, reported an outbreak of diarrhoea. She also said that one woman gave birth at the consulate last week and, according to available information, received donations to return to Zimbabwe.
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Loss of housing and work
A 15-year-old boy from Vereeniging said that he was expelled from school in early August during an anti-immigrant protest. A few weeks later, his landlord evicted his family. The boy said he wants to return home and is waiting for buses.
Self-employed carpenter Hanani Nleya said that after returning from work in the Free State on 19 August, he found his shack in Sebokeng burned down along with his belongings, including a television, furniture, a phone and 1,500 rand. Abel Ndlovu said protesters demanded that migrants leave his workplace, after which his employer dismissed him because he lacked documents and his landlord ordered him to leave immediately.
General Sithole, a representative of the Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe, said that around 3,000 Zimbabweans across South Africa are awaiting repatriation. According to him, the shortage of buses is linked to budget constraints, while the closure of the temporary repatriation centre in Musina has also caused delays. He noted that the organization is negotiating with the Zimbabwean embassy on funding the return of the remaining people.
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