Thousands Moved from Musina Showgrounds to New Repatriation Centre with Tents and Services

On Thursday, thousands of immigrants were transferred from the Musina showgrounds to the newly established Proefplaas Farm repatriation centre about 20 km outside Musina in Limpopo province, AllAfrica reported. Many had spent days waiting to be processed for departure through the Beitbridge Border Post and had complained of hunger. Some immigrants earned small amounts of money to buy food.

Richard Isa, returning to Malawi, cut hair for R10 or R20. After church leaders visited the showgrounds on Monday, the Musina Council of Churches appealed for donations. Local businesses provided bread, bottled water, juice, nappies and other items.

Gift of the Givers distributed food and essentials. Community liaison officer Clifford Mabe said the group donated about 15,000 meals at the showgrounds on Wednesday and would continue providing meals at the new centre. Large tents have been erected at Proefplaas Farm, with police and emergency personnel stationed around the site and a mobile Home Affairs office present.

The centre provides shelter, mattresses, toilets and access to water. Dika Nicholas from Malawi said there are toilets and water but no place to bathe. She is pregnant and had not eaten that day. John Timothy, also returning to Malawi, said there has not been enough food because of the large and growing numbers of people.

On Thursday, the Limpopo MECs for social development, health, transport and community safety joined Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber to inspect Proefplaas Farm and the Beitbridge border post. The Limpopo provincial government stated that the inspection team was satisfied with the progress of the operation.