Zimbabweans Face Up to Five-Year Ban After Voluntary Return From South Africa

CAPE TOWN – Hundreds of Zimbabweans who opted to return home through South Africa's voluntary repatriation programme have been left stunned after learning they could be barred from re-entering the country for up to five years because of their immigration status. The revelation has emerged as South African authorities continue assisting foreign nationals who chose to leave the country amid fears of violence linked to planned anti-immigration protests.

According to Independent Online (IOL), South Africa's Department of Home Affairs established a temporary processing centre at its Epping office in Cape Town after hundreds of Zimbabwean nationals sought assistance to return home. On Sunday, three buses carrying 231 Zimbabwean nationals departed Cape Town for Beitbridge Border Post, where they were expected to complete immigration formalities before entering Zimbabwe.

Many of those leaving reportedly believed they would be able to return to South Africa once tensions had subsided, only to discover that they would be declared "undesirable persons" under South Africa's immigration laws because they had overstayed or were in the country illegally.

One returnee, Chrispen Bhebhe, who had worked as a farm labourer in Robertson since 2015, said the news came as a devastating surprise.

"I am told they are now banning us for five years, so I do not know how we will come back. There is nothing waiting for us in Zimbabwe. I left because I could not get a job," he told IOL.

Bhebhe said he decided to return after growing fears for his family's safety.

"We had to leave because we feared for our lives. Everywhere people were telling us to go home and they even went to the farm where we were working."

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs said the period for which a person is declared undesirable depends on how long they remained in the country unlawfully before leaving.

Department spokesperson Luthando Mavuso said immigration officials were applying existing legal provisions.

"All we can do as Home Affairs is declare people undesirable. It is the responsibility of consulates and embassies to issue them with travel documents," he said.

He added that officials escort returnees to ensure they complete the necessary immigration procedures before crossing the border. Under South Africa's Immigration Act, foreign nationals who overstay their visas can be declared undesirable for periods ranging from 12 months to five years, depending on the length of the overstay.

The growing anxiety has also affected Zimbabweans with valid immigration documents. Bus driver Gibson Nyamukwengu said he joined the repatriation process despite having legal status in South Africa.

"I have all my papers and my documents are up to date. I am here because it does not matter to these people whether you are documented or not."

The voluntary repatriation programme follows heightened fears among migrant communities ahead of planned anti-immigration demonstrations in parts of South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia have appealed for calm, stressing that while peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution, violence, intimidation and attacks against foreign nationals will not be tolerated. Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said it has provided meals to around 1,200 people, including 252 children, while temporary shelters have been established at the Epping processing centre.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also urged residents to reject xenophobic violence, warning that anyone involved in criminal acts during protests would face arrest and prosecution. South African authorities, together with foreign missions, continue facilitating the voluntary return of migrants wishing to leave the country.

South Africa re-entry ban Zimbabweans