News Desk Reporter
Thousands of foreign nationals who sought help to return home have completed the first stage of their voluntary repatriation.
The temporary operation at the Epping Refugee Reception Office in the Western Cape has now come to an end.
The initiative began after large numbers of Zimbabwean nationals arrived at the centre in June seeking assistance to return home.
Malawian nationals later joined the process, prompting a coordinated response involving government, the City of Cape Town, civil society organisations and faith-based organisations.
Over the weekend, those requesting voluntary repatriation were transferred from the Epping facility to the Musina Repatriation Centre in Limpopo, where the process will continue.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, 3 252 people were processed during the operation. This included 3 155 Zimbabwean nationals and 97 Malawian nationals.
With the temporary programme now complete, the Epping Refugee Reception Office resumed its normal operations.
Home Affairs said foreign nationals seeking voluntary repatriation should no longer report to the Epping office. They have instead been advised to contact their respective consulates for assistance with voluntary return.
The repatriation process was also overshadowed by the death of a Malawian national who became ill while being transported from the repatriation centre to the Beitbridge Border Post in Musina, Limpopo.
The man had already been processed for voluntary return. He reportedly became ill during the journey and died before reaching the border.
The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. An investigation is under way, and further details are expected once his next of kin have been informed and the circumstances surrounding the incident have been established