By RFIPalled on 13-09-2019Modified on 13-09-2019 at 00:11

After Nigeria, new countries have decided to repatriate some of their nationals to South Africa. Buses were set up to allow more than 200 people from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to return voluntarily to their country, with the cooperation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). After last week's violence, which resulted in 12 deaths, mostly nationals, these foreign nationals lost their homes or fled their neighborhoods. Refugees in halls developed by the city, they prefer to return rather than having to rebuild everything.

The governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, in collaboration with South Africa, were able to provide buses for refugees who lost their shelter in Katlehong township as a result of xenophobic violence . On site, there are still a hundred Malawians like Enoch, who are waiting to be able to return in their turn.

" I lost my business," says Enoch. They burned my clothes, I lost everything. People here, they hate strangers. But that's not good, we should all be together. I am supposed to go back to Malawi, because we can not stay in this building. We suffer here. "

The buses leave the site in the direction of Maputo and Harare under the eyes of Tapiwa. Arrived ten years ago from Zimbabwe, he made the choice to stay: " It is very difficult to live in Zimbabwe, there is no work. I can not go home. But anyway, I have no reason to return, I'm here legally! I have to stay here to feed my family. "

Mozambique satisfied with South African crisis management

For the Mozambican consul, Guilherme Tamele, these events in no way affect relations with Pretoria: " There is nothing that would tarnish relations between South Africa and Mozambique. We are happy with the way the government is managing the situation, trying to appease the violence and making sure everyone is safe. "

The South African government has announced earlier this week that it intends to act more harshly against illegal immigration into the country.

→ Read also: In South Africa, "there has been xenophobic violence for a very long time"

    On the same subject

    Nigeria: after the violence, the sadness of returnees from South Africa

    Xenophobic Violence in South Africa: Nigerians' Anger on Departure

    Tensions between South Africa and Nigeria: worried economic circles

    comments