Musina Centre Shut Down After South Africa Processes 49,000 Foreign Nationals
South Africa has finally shut down its temporary repatriation centre near the Beitbridge border after processing almost 49,000 foreign nationals during a period of heightened migration pressure.
The Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre was established on June 26 as an emergency measure to manage increased migration and facilitate the lawful and orderly processing of undocumented migrants seeking assisted repatriation.
Nearly 49,000 Migrants Processed At Musina
Deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi confirmed that 48,948 foreign nationals were processed at the Musina centre.
Of these, 46,744, or 95.5%, were classified as border jumpers. A further 2,204 people, representing 4.5%, were recorded as having reported through a port of entry.
Baloyi said the majority of those processed were Malawian nationals, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
The centre was established amid heightened tensions in June, when undocumented migrants faced calls to leave South Africa by June 30.
Why South Africa Closed The Centre
According to Baloyi, the number of people requiring processing and repatriation assistance subsequently declined.
The government reduced the centre’s operational capacity from 20,000 people to approximately 1,500 from August 1 after recording falling arrivals over several weeks.
Its continued operation also became financially and operationally unsustainable after the Malawian government withdrew repatriation support.
The temporary infrastructure was dismantled, with the formal decommissioning completed on August 21.
What Happens To Undocumented Migrants Now?
Baloyi clarified that the closure does not mean undocumented migrants will automatically be transferred to the Lindela Repatriation Centre.
Lindela remains an option where appropriate, while the broader migration issue continues to dominate regional discussions.
At the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission in Pretoria, President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for continued diplomatic engagement to find lasting solutions to migration challenges across the SADC region.
South Africa is also expected to host a regional migration summit focusing on migration, regional integration, safety, security and communication.
The closure of the Musina centre therefore brings an end to a temporary emergency response, but not the wider regional debate over migration.