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BY LOMQHELE NXUMALO
Thousands of Zimbabweans are returning home from South Africa as protests against foreign nationals create fear and uncertainty.
For weeks, social media has been flooded with messages calling for non-South Africans to leave the country by 30 June. Although this deadline was not announced by the South African government, many foreign nationals chose to leave because they feared for their safety.
People from Zimbabwe, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries have been travelling back to their home countries. Some of those returning had valid immigration documents and were legally living and working in South Africa. However, many decided not to take any chances as tension continued to grow.
On Tuesday, protests began in some parts of South Africa. While organisers said the demonstrations would be peaceful, the fear of possible violence prompted many families to leave earlier.
The movement of people has made the Beitbridge Border Post one of the busiest entry points into Zimbabwe in recent weeks. Unlike the usual December holiday rush, this increase in travellers is being driven by safety concerns rather than holiday plans.
Bus operators have also seen a sharp rise in the number of passengers. Many returnees say their journeys were unplanned and have placed financial pressure on their families. Some transport companies, including Swiss, have maintained their normal bus fares despite the increased demand, providing some relief to travellers.
Some of the returnees shared the challenges they faced while leaving South Africa.One passenger said they left before receiving their monthly salary because they feared waiting any longer could put their safety at risk.
Another woman said she had no choice but to leave most of her belongings behind because she could not afford to transport everything. “I couldn’t carry my property with me. I only came with suitcases of clothes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government has started preparing for the arrival of more returning families. Following a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, schools have been instructed to enrol children returning from South Africa. Authorities have said that no child should be denied access to education because of the move.
As more Zimbabweans continue to cross the border, many hope the situation in South Africa will improve. For now, families arriving home are looking for safety, stability and a chance to rebuild their lives.
