Lead

With the 30 June deadline set by anti-immigration protesters approaching, many Zimbabweans and Malawians are leaving South Africa, but their journey home has been marked by long delays and difficult conditions. At the Beitbridge border post, passengers have been stalled for hours, and at the Department of Home Affairs office in Musina, Limpopo, thousands of Malawian nationals are waiting for the papers that will allow them to cross into their home country.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from AllAfrica highlights the human impact of the repatriation process. Families arriving from Durban and Pietermaritzburg spent Monday night outside the Home Affairs office in Musina, with mothers breastfeeding in whatever shade they could find and others using bags and blankets as pillows. Many said they had no food and no money left.

Ishmael Omar, who wants to return to Malawi, described the situation as desperate. He said that since leaving Durban, he and others have had nothing to eat. "We have asked our ambassador to help us," he added.

At the Beitbridge border post, a passenger named Nyasha, who only gave his first name, said his bus had arrived at 5am from Durban, but no one was attending to them. By 10am, seven buses were parked at the border, with passengers waiting on the pavement. BMA officials told people to return to the bus, but the passengers said it was too hot inside.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has provided a more formal account of the situation. Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the BMA continues to facilitate the lawful and orderly repatriation of foreign nationals through the Beitbridge port of entry, with 8,230 persons having been processed to date.

Key Claims

  • According to AllAfrica, the BMA says Home Affairs and police checks must be completed before arriving at the border. Police clearances must also be completed at the Musina Refugee Reception Centre before migrants arrive at Beitbridge Border Post.
  • AllAfrica reports that over 150 buses are due to arrive at Beitbridge as the Durban repatriation site closes. Most of the roughly 7,000 people who were at the Durban centre have already been bussed to Musina.
  • The BMA, as quoted by AllAfrica, reports that between 12 and 24 June 2026, it processed 6,709 Malawian nationals for repatriation, transported in 112 buses, and 1,521 Zimbabwean nationals transported in 26 buses.
  • On 25 June 2026, 17 buses transporting foreign nationals arrived at the port without the required Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC). The BMA said these buses were directed to the Musina truck stop area until the necessary documentation was obtained and verified.
  • The BMA also noted that a significant number of buses transporting repatriated foreign nationals are registered in South Africa and do not possess the required cross-border permits. In line with the law, buses without valid cross-border permits are not allowed to cross the border.
  • Additionally, some drivers attempting to transport foreign nationals across the border were found not to be in possession of passports, which is mandatory for cross-border travel.
  • BMA Assistant Commissioner Dr Nkhuliseni Luvhengo said additional officers and guards have been deployed to manage the volume, but acknowledged that managing traffic is a challenge, with trucks already queued for about eight kilometres.
  • The BMA called on all transport operators involved in repatriation activities to comply fully with immigration and administrative requirements before arriving at the port of entry. This includes ensuring that buses are roadworthy, drivers have valid passports, and all required cross-border permits have been obtained.

Perspectives

Border Management Authority

The BMA emphasizes that it is facilitating lawful and orderly repatriation, and that all foreign nationals are processed in the presence of officials from their respective embassies to verify identity and travel documentation. It attributes delays to non-compliance by some transport operators and buses lacking proper documentation.

Repatriating nationals

Individuals like Ishmael Omar and Nyasha describe difficult conditions, including lack of food, money, and information. They express frustration with the waiting process and the physical discomfort at the border.

Anonymous officials

While not named, officials at the BMA told people to return to the bus, but passengers said it was too hot inside, reflecting a disconnect between official instructions and on-the-ground realities.