Zimbabweans return home after displacement from South African communities

HARARE – Dozens of Zimbabwean nationals have begun returning home after seeking refuge at a church property in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, following reports that they were forced to flee their communities amid anti-foreigner tensions.

According to Newzroom Afrika, three buses carrying Zimbabwean nationals were preparing to leave the church site on Friday afternoon for Musina, from where the returnees are expected to cross into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Border Post. The temporary shelter has also accommodated Malawian nationals who arrived on Thursday night after reportedly fleeing neighbouring communities.

Those staying at the church told the broadcaster they had been displaced following door-to-door searches in several communities, during which residents allegedly demanded that landlords identify and remove foreign nationals from their properties. Many of those affected said they fled without collecting their belongings, fearing for their safety. Some of the displaced travelled from Howick and surrounding townships before arriving at the church, where humanitarian organisations have been providing food, water, sanitation facilities and psychosocial support.

Because Zimbabwean nationals arrived first, newly arrived Malawian nationals initially occupied a separate section of the church property while additional space was being prepared for them. One Malawian man, who said he had lived in Mpophomeni for nearly five years, told Newzroom Afrika that community members threatened to burn them if they remained in the area.

"That's why we escaped from there," he said.

The man said he was legally residing in South Africa and held a valid passport but was uncertain about what assistance would be available to help him return home.

Zimbabwean national Philip Tinago, a Pietermaritzburg resident, told The Witness that the Zimbabwean Consulate had arranged buses to transport Zimbabwean citizens to Beitbridge.

According to Tinago, returnees will be processed at the border before being assisted by Zimbabwean authorities to travel to their respective towns and villages.

"It is heartbreaking to see people leaving behind everything they have worked for and returning to a future they know very little about," Tinago said.

He added that an estimated 70% of those returning are documented migrants who have lived and worked in South Africa for many years.

"Some are over 50 years old and have lived here for more than 20 years. Starting over will not be easy. Many have also left most of their belongings behind because they are only allowed to board with one large and one small bag," he said.

Tinago said humanitarian organisations have played a key role in supporting displaced migrants while they await transport, providing essential services including meals, drinking water, sanitation and emotional support.

The reported displacement comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, where periodic tensions linked to immigration, unemployment and crime have, at times, resulted in attacks and the displacement of migrant communities. Neither South African authorities nor the Zimbabwean government had issued an official statement on the reported removals at the time of publication.

Zimbabweans returning from South Africa