Parliament inspects Musina centre after about 37,000 migrants processed, committee hears

Parliament’s oversight team visited Musina this week to assess operations at the temporary repatriation centre after about 37,000 migrants had been processed there, the committee heard.

Who visited and why

According to IOL, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is conducting an urgent two-day oversight visit to the Musina and Beitbridge temporary repatriation centres. The visit follows the closure of the Durban Repatriation Centre and comes amid ongoing repatriation and deportation efforts.

Numbers reported at the facility

At the Musina Repatriation Centre, the committee was told that about 37,000 people had already been processed. According to IOL, the committee heard that “as of yesterday (Monday), about 37 000 people had already been processed,” and that officials had “assured that by yesterday there was no backlog.“

Committee activity and statements

Portfolio Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said the visit was intended to assess operations and ensure proper oversight. The committee planned to inspect the facility and engage with officials from the Border Management Authority, the Department of Home Affairs, humanitarian organisations and migrants to identify progress and challenges.

“Firstly, it is to appreciate the work undertaken by the inter-ministerial committee led by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, together with the Limpopo provincial government and the local municipality, in establishing this facility to ensure the orderly facilitation of people returning to their countries,” Chabane said.

Chabane also commended churches and non-governmental organisations for providing humanitarian support and said officials had assured the committee that everyone processed had been accounted for.

Funding and operational challenges

The committee was told that funding remained a key challenge. According to IOL, officials said: “This exercise was not budgeted for. Departments had to reprioritise funds from within their existing budgets, and this is an issue the committee will examine further once a comprehensive report has been presented.“

Next steps

The oversight visit is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, the committee heard. The committee expects a comprehensive report to follow its inspection and engagements at the facility.