Probe into repatriation process after migrants left stranded at closed Epping centre

Government repatriation operations are under scrutiny after the closure of the Department of Home Affairs voluntary repatriation centre in Epping, Cape Town, left foreign nationals stranded in the vicinity of the Langa train station, officials and aid groups said.

Who, what and where

The closure of the Epping Refugee Repatriation Centre in Cape Town led to people being stranded near the Langa train station in Epping, according to reporting on the situation. The Western Cape Government said municipal, provincial and national partners, together with humanitarian and faith-based organisations and law enforcement, had helped those who voluntarily elected to return to their countries of origin depart following verification and registration.

Humanitarian groups and logistics on the ground

Dr Naeem Kathrada, Head of Medical for Gift of the Givers (GoTG) Western Cape, described confusion around bus logistics after the centre closed. He said:

“We tried to organise buses on Sunday, but there was a bit of confusion with the drivers and payment. So we had all the buses, but then the buses pulled out. I was there today at around lunchtime, and there were five buses that were ready to load people.

He added:

“We were just waiting on the Zimbabwe Consular-General to issue travel documents for those people… We were hoping to have everyone out and on buses tonight (Monday).”

Kathrada said Gift of the Givers had provided people on the scene with meals and that Emergency Medical Services was present at the repatriation centre. He urged people to contact local police if they faced threats or intimidation so law enforcement could engage with their country’s consular officials.

Official statements and limits on municipal support

The Western Cape Government said dozens of buses were procured and that those who presented at municipal facilities and the Department of Home Affairs’ Epping offices in Cape Town had departed after verification, registration and logistical planning undertaken by the department and partners. The province said temporary facilities established to support the operation have been demobilised and that normal operations are resuming.

Premier Alan Winde was quoted thanking stakeholders:

“This operation demonstrated what can be achieved when all spheres of government, humanitarian organisations, religious institutions, transport providers and local communities work together towards a common humanitarian objective… I am also deeply grateful for the engagements our International Relations Directorate initiated with affected foreign missions.”

The provincial government added that no further transport logistics will be undertaken by municipalities for the purposes of repatriating foreign nationals, and said reports of continued free transport services were incorrect. It encouraged foreign nationals requiring assistance to engage directly with their embassies or consulates and to use normal immigration processes administered by the Department of Home Affairs.

Criticism from civil society and political actors

Yeshelen Govender, spokesperson for the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign KZN, said civil society stepped in where the state had not, and criticised the conditions in which migrants had been held. She said:

“If you look at the photographs and stuff that you have seen from these repatriation camps. It has been clear that these migrants, documented or undocumented, have been kept in absolutely inhumane conditions.”

The ANC in Limpopo warned that the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre must not become a permanent fixture, according to a statement on the outcomes of its provincial executive committee meeting released on 1 July.

Parliamentary oversight

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will undertake a two-day oversight visit to temporary repatriation centres in Musina, Limpopo, and the Beitbridge Port of Entry beginning Tuesday, 7 July 2026. The committee said the visit will assess preparedness and operational capacity, including administrative processes and coordination among government departments and entities, following developments related to a 30 June deadline issued by anti-immigrant groups that contributed to an urgent humanitarian and administrative situation.

The oversight visit aims to examine how temporary repatriation centres are processing and facilitating the voluntary repatriation of affected individuals.