Hundreds of Zimbabwean nationals who gathered outside the Zimbabwean Consulate in Cape Town have been relocated to the Department of Home Affairs repatriation centre in Epping. The move, coordinated by the City of Cape Town on Sunday, 28 June 2026, aims to provide shelter to families as a severe cold front brings heavy rains and plummeting temperatures to the region.
Safety Concerns And Repatriation Efforts
The makeshift encampment outside the consulate formed in mid-June amid rising reports of anti-immigrant sentiment and threats of protests scheduled for 30 June. Many individuals, including young children, have been living on the pavements with limited access to sanitation or protection from the elements.
"We don’t have the money to go home. We are struggling to catch the buses," said Anesu Mhosva, one of the individuals waiting for assistance.
Another unnamed Zimbabwean national stated that the decision to leave was driven purely by safety concerns, adding, "I think it’s wise for me to run away with my life and be safe." Humanitarian organisations, including Gift of the Givers, have been on-site providing essential supplies and warm meals to those waiting to be processed for government-assisted return.
Humanitarian Conditions In The Face Of Severe Weather
The intervention by the City of Cape Town follows warnings from the South African Weather Service regarding the incoming cold front expected to impact the Western Cape throughout the weekend. The shift to the Epping facility is intended to mitigate risks associated with prolonged exposure to extreme weather, which had become a critical concern for both those on the street and local aid responders.
Government officials have yet to provide a definitive timeline for the full repatriation process, as the number of people requiring assistance remains fluid. Further updates are expected as the Department of Home Affairs continues to manage the movement of individuals into the designated centre.