Weekly protests by the South African vigilante group March and March across Gauteng have forced hundreds of foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, to leave their homes, with more than 300 people now waiting to be repatriated from the former Zimbabwean Consulate in Bruma, Johannesburg.
Most of those sheltering at the former consulate premises are families from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Vereeniging. Piles of neatly wrapped furniture and luggage can be seen around the building as the displaced families wait for transport back to Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwean government has stopped providing buses to repatriate displaced Zimbabweans, with civil society groups calling for urgent intervention to speed up the process.
Among those at the consulate is Simpiwe Ndlovu, a seven-month pregnant Zimbabwean woman from Esigodini, near Bulawayo. She was in her flat in Hillbrow in mid-August when a group of men, who were supporters of March and March, reportedly barged in and ordered her to leave.
Ndlovu pleaded to remain in the flat until after giving birth, but her landlord, who said he was under pressure, told her to leave.
Civil society organisations under the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign have been providing food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other essentials to those staying at the former consulate.
Campaign representative Tessa Dooms said they became aware of the situation at the premises about a week and a half ago.
She said the Zimbabwean government had been providing buses regularly over the past few months, but the service had stopped in recent weeks.
Dooms said consulate officials had also not provided clear information on when buses would be available again.
She called on the South African and Zimbabwean governments to intervene urgently and fast-track the repatriation process.
“There are water shortages and only a few toilets. The circumstances pose a serious health risk, especially with children around,” she said.
Ethel Musonza, founder of Zimbabwe Isolated Women in South Africa, said there had been an outbreak of diarrhoea at the premises. She also said a woman gave birth at the former consulate last week and reportedly received donations to help her return to Zimbabwe.
Another displaced Zimbabwean, Hanani Nleya, lost his home and belongings after his backyard shack in Sebokeng was reportedly burnt down.
Nleya, a self-employed carpenter who makes cupboards, beds and sofas, left his shack on 15 August to work in the Free State.
He said that when he returned on 19 August, he found that the structure had been destroyed, along with his television, radio, sofas, bed, phone and R1,500 in cash that he had hidden under a carpet.
“We never had any real threat of xenophobia in the area until word started going around that foreigners must leave the place, with neighbours playing the Abahambe song,” he said.
Nleya said he borrowed money to travel to the former consulate, arriving with only the clothes he was wearing and a pair of slippers. He has since received donated clothes.
General Sithole of the Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe said about 3,000 Zimbabweans were awaiting repatriation across South Africa.
He attributed the shortage of buses to budget constraints and said the closure of the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre had also contributed to delays.
The centre had been used by the Zimbabwean embassy and the South African Department of Home Affairs to coordinate the repatriation process, including screening people for criminal records before they were allowed to travel.
Sithole said talks were underway between the Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean embassy to find funding to repatriate those still stranded.
“We urge people who are currently awaiting repatriation to be patient while logistics are being prepared,” he said.
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