derick.khumalo
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
SOUTH Africa has opened a new repatriation centre in Musina to help manage the growing number of Zimbabweans, Malawians and other foreign nationals seeking voluntary return to their home countries through Zimbabwe.
The move follows the closure of a facility in Durban after authorities said it could no longer cope with increasing numbers of people requiring assistance amid rising anti-migrant violence in parts of South Africa.
Zimbabwe has operated its own reception and support centre at Beitbridge Border Post for more than a decade to process deportees and assist nationals in transit.
The newly established South African facility in Musina will now complement that system, helping to ensure that repatriations are carried out in a safer, more orderly and humane manner.
Violet Mathye, the Limpopo Member of Executive Council for Transport and Community Safety, led a provincial delegation to tour the new facility on Thursday on behalf of Premier Phophi Ramathuba.
She was accompanied by MEC for Social Development Florence Radzilani and MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego.
The visit followed a resolution by the provincial Executive Council to support national government operations at the Musina Repatriation Centre, the operational hub at Proefplaas Farm and the Beitbridge Border Post.
At the site, the provincial delegation met officials from South Africa’s national government led by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
In a statement following the visit, Ms Mathye said safety and dignity should be guaranteed for everyone within South Africa’s borders.
“Our responsibility as the provincial government is to ensure that law, order, and human dignity are upheld for everyone within our borders. Whether you are a South African citizen or a foreign national seeking voluntary return home, your safety and well-being matter to this government,” she said.
She said provincial authorities were focused on strengthening secure and orderly border management, ensuring humane treatment of people at repatriation facilities and improving cooperation between provincial and national departments.
The Durban facility was shut down after officials concluded that it could no longer handle the rising numbers of migrants seeking assistance.
With tensions escalating in some communities and more people requesting voluntary repatriation, authorities decided to relocate operations closer to the Zimbabwe border in Musina.
From the new centre, Zimbabweans, Malawians and other foreign nationals can be screened, documented and assisted to travel safely through Zimbabwe to their respective countries.
Ms Mathye said the delegation was satisfied with operations at the Musina Repatriation Centre and had observed an increase in the number of migrants from different countries coming forward to seek voluntary return assistance.
“The Border Management Authority gave a briefing on screening, safety plans and daily operations at Beitbridge,” she said.
She added that findings from the visit would be compiled into a formal report for Premier Dr Ramathuba to guide additional provincial support measures.
In line with government’s humanitarian response, support services are already being provided to people waiting to travel, with the Department of Social Development offering psychosocial support to returnees at the centre.
Ms Mathye said an international humanitarian organisation had also donated food supplies to assist those temporarily accommodated at the facility.
“A safe Limpopo is a Limpopo that protects life and restores dignity. This visit confirms that government is present, government is listening, and government is acting,” she said.
Online Reporter