Vigilante groups in KwaThema have issued a 30 June deadline for immigrants to leave, leading many to close shops amid looting and threats. In Cape Town, hundreds of Zimbabweans are camping outside their consulate seeking repatriation.
Vainet Spatini, who moved from Mozambique in March, had her chips and bunny-chow shop in KwaThema’s White City closed after a mob from a March and March protest destroyed stalls in late May. She said the group refused her pleas to continue operating, and her landlord ordered closure to avoid threats of arson. Most of her stock including 40 bags of potatoes has spoiled, and she is now raising funds to return home.
Fatima Mabonda, selling snacks in Duduza since 2015, reported similar harassment starting in early June, with mobs claiming locals will take over businesses after 30 June. Business has slowed, and many immigrants face trauma from social media hate.
In Cape Town, hundreds of Zimbabweans including women and children camped outside the consulate from Wednesday, with Marian Gwanyira and others citing neighbour threats such as “Abahambe”. Spray Vandai noted about 300 people seeking help to leave, while similar scenes occurred in Durban and Johannesburg.
SAPS Sergeant Maxwell Mabunda said police maintain visibility in Springs and will protect all residents. Sharon Ekambaram of Lawyers for Human Rights called for enforcement of the Immigration Act and focus on unemployment.
