Overview
- The Western Cape government said Sunday it had closed all temporary facilities, including the Epping site in Cape Town, and ended its coordinated voluntary repatriation operation.
- The Department of Home Affairs reported it processed 3,416 people at the Musina (Beitbridge) centre and used 53 buses to move migrants to Zimbabwe and Malawi.
- Home Affairs has designated Musina as the country’s official repatriation centre after the Durban site closed, and it expects roughly 50 more buses plus about 100 staff to work through a growing backlog.
- Municipalities will no longer provide repatriation transport and remaining foreign nationals are being directed to embassies, consulates or standard Home Affairs channels while some people say they are unwilling or unable to return.
- Civil‑society groups warn of rights and protection gaps, including reports of child separations and inadequate accommodation, and diplomats in the region are managing increased transports and reception pressures.