Around 300 Zimbabwean nationals are being transported from Cape Town back to Zimbabwe as part of a voluntary repatriation effort.
The departures follow several days of scenes outside the Zimbabwean Consulate in Zonnebloem, where large groups of Zimbabweans, including women and children, camped on the pavement seeking assistance to return home.
The repatriation comes amid a broader trend across South Africa, with growing numbers of foreign nationals left with no choice but to return to their countries of origin as concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment continue to rise.
On Friday, groups of Zimbabweans were seen loading buses with suitcases, blankets and other personal belongings before beginning the journey home.
Some of those leaving said they had been sleeping outside the consulate since the middle of the week while waiting for transport arrangements to be finalised.
Although many declined to comment publicly, others said they had decided to leave because of growing fears of xenophobia, intimidation and uncertainty in the communities where they live.
One of the returnees, Decide Chakwesha, who has lived in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Milnerton since 2011, said immigration documentation challenges had left many Zimbabweans in a vulnerable position, making it increasingly difficult for them to remain in South Africa.
“They are facing some challenges to survive because the companies they are working for are asking for paperwork. They cannot work without a permit. So now they are forced to go back home,” Chakwesha said.
He said some of those returning to Zimbabwe also cited fears linked to a 30 June deadline issued by the anti-illegal immigration civic movement, March and March.
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