More than 300 Zimbabweans have left Cape Town for Zimbabwe after spending days outside the Zimbabwean Consulate in Zonnebloem.
The group included women, children and families who packed blankets, bags and personal belongings before boarding buses back home. Many said they no longer felt safe in the communities where they lived.
Others said they were struggling with documentation problems that made it difficult to work legally in South Africa.
The voluntary return comes amid rising fear among foreign nationals ahead of a 30 June deadline set by the anti-illegal immigration civic movement March and March.
Families Camp Outside Consulate
The Zimbabweans gathered outside the consulate this week, asking for help to return home. Some slept outside on the pavement in cold weather while waiting for transport.
Large bags, blankets and children’s belongings were seen outside the consulate as families prepared for the journey. For many, the decision to leave was not easy.
Several had lived in South Africa for years. Some had jobs, homes and children in local schools. However, growing fear in their communities pushed them to seek repatriation.
Theft and Intimidation Claims
Some Zimbabweans told EWN that they had experienced theft and intimidation in the areas where they lived.
One man, Prince Dube, described a climate of fear.
He said people came to his home and told him to leave. He also claimed they took his belongings and warned him not to return.
His account reflects the fear felt by many foreign nationals who say they are being targeted.
Not everyone was willing to speak openly. Several people reportedly avoided interviews because they feared further trouble.
Permit Problems Add Pressure
Documentation problems have also pushed many Zimbabweans into a corner. Some said employers were asking for valid permits before allowing them to continue working.
That has left many unable to earn a living. Others said they had tried to renew asylum documents or permits but faced repeated problems.
Without proper documents, many foreign nationals become vulnerable to job losses, exploitation and threats. For some, returning to Zimbabwe now feels safer than staying in South Africa without protection or stable work.
Fear of 30 June Deadline
The looming 30 June deadline has added to the tension. March and March, an anti-illegal immigration movement, has called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by that date.
Although this is not an official government deadline, it has caused panic among migrants. Many fear that violence could break out if the date arrives without clear intervention from authorities.
That fear has pushed some families to leave before the situation becomes worse. Zimbabweans outside the Cape Town consulate said they were choosing safety over uncertainty.
Similar Scenes Across South Africa
The Cape Town repatriation is not happening in isolation.
Similar scenes have been reported in other parts of South Africa as foreign nationals seek help to return home.
GroundUp reported that Zimbabweans arrived at the Cape Town consulate from areas including Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Bredasdorp, Hermanus and other Western Cape communities.
Some said they had been threatened. Others said they feared being attacked because they were foreign nationals.
Reports have also linked the wider movement to growing xenophobia fears across the country.
Zimbabwe Repatriates Citizens
Zimbabwe has started assisting nationals who wish to return home.
NewZimbabwe reported that 660 Zimbabweans had already been repatriated from South Africa as tensions escalated.
Zimbabwean officials have said the safety of citizens abroad remains a concern. They have also urged those needing help to contact Zimbabwe’s embassy and consulates.
However, the number of Zimbabweans living in South Africa is much higher than the number who have returned so far. That means many others may still be weighing whether to stay or leave.
South Africa Faces Xenophobia Concerns
South Africa has faced repeated waves of xenophobic violence in the past.
Foreign nationals from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia and other African countries have often been affected. Many migrants say the latest threats have revived painful memories of earlier attacks.
Civil society groups have warned that fear and misinformation can place vulnerable people in danger. The South African government has previously said it does not support vigilante action against foreign nationals.
However, migrants say they need more than statements. They want protection, clear communication and action against intimidation.
A Painful Journey Home
For many Zimbabweans leaving Cape Town, the journey home is emotional. Some are returning with children who grew up in South Africa.
Others are leaving behind years of work, struggle and memories. A return home may bring safety, but it also comes with uncertainty.
Zimbabwe continues to face economic challenges, unemployment and high living costs. Still, those boarding buses said fear had made life in South Africa unbearable.
Families Choose Safety
The sight of buses outside the Zimbabwean Consulate shows how serious the situation has become.
These are not just statistics. They are families, workers, mothers, fathers and children who feel forced to restart their lives.
Some are leaving because of theft and intimidation. Others are leaving because permits have become difficult.
Many are leaving because they fear what could happen after 30 June. For now, over 300 Zimbabweans have chosen to leave Cape Town and return home.
Their departure is a powerful reminder that migration is not only about borders and documents. It is also about safety, dignity and survival.
Sources: EWN