300 Zimbabweans stuck at Joburg consulate
Hundreds of people have been displaced by weekly March and March protests
Over 300 Zimbabweans have been stranded at the former Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg, awaiting repatriation following protests by March and March supporters. Most of the individuals involved have come from Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Vereeniging. The Zimbabwean government had arranged buses for repatriation, but these services have since ceased.
Civil society groups, under the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign, have been providing food, medical supplies, and hygiene products to the stranded individuals. However, the consulate officials have not been forthcoming with information regarding when the buses will be provided, leaving the situation dire. Civilian groups have expressed concern over the lack of basic facilities, such as water and toilets, which pose a serious health risk, especially for children.
Some of the affected individuals have already faced difficulties in South Africa, including xenophobic attacks and eviction from their homes. The Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe reported that a total of 3,000 Zimbabweans are awaiting repatriation across the country, with the delay in repatriation being attributed to budget constraints and the closure of a temporary repatriation center.
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