More than a thousand Zimbabwean nationals gathered at Shallcross Stadium in Durban requesting urgent voluntary repatriation from their government. Since Tuesday, they were transported back to Zimbabwe by bus.
Thousands of Zimbabwean nationals were bused back home after occupying the Shallcross sports field for four days.
On Thursday, surrounded by a strong police presence, buses were seen loading people and their possessions. An official from Zimbabwe, who did not want to be named, said he was concerned about his fellow Zimbabwean nationals' safety. He did not want the media to highlight that they were present at the grounds.
Groups of Zimbabweans arrived from all parts of KwaZulu-Natal after allegedly receiving threats from anti-illegal immigration groups moving through suburbs, businesses and informal settlements demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30.
Shallcross residents were concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding because the Zimbabweans lacked tents, shelter or ablution facilities since arriving on Monday. Shallcross community leaders who did not want to be named, feared the grounds might become overwhelmed like the incident in Sherwood where Malawian nationals sought refuge.
