Thousands of foreign nationals are stranded at a temporary camp in the border town of Musina after fleeing recent xenophobic protests in South Africa. Many face delays processing overstayed visas at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe and lack adequate shelter food and water.
The Musina Showgrounds camp was set up to process people for repatriation after transfers from sites like the Old Drive-in in Durban. Hundreds sleep in the open or on a metal grandstand with only one tent for some women and children. Officials have erected dozens of tents at a nearby processing centre but only a small number of people are handled daily.
Jerry Pitmike a Malawian at the site said nothing is happening and authorities are making it hard to return home. Munyaradzi Chitsike a Zimbabwean noted that many cannot cross due to overstayed visas and uncertainty about next steps. A bus crash on the N1 near Musina early on Wednesday killed the driver and injured 11 passengers.
Limpopo MEC Florence Radzilani visited on Thursday and stated the camp is well provided for with shelter and social workers present. Vhembe police Captain Vuledzani Dathi said officers are monitoring to ensure processes run smoothly. Local pastor Mashudu Tswene has been distributing aid after seeing poor conditions for families.
