Hundreds of foreign nationals stranded after Western Cape closes Epping repatriation centre

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – Hundreds of foreign nationals have been left stranded outside the Epping repatriation centre in Cape Town after the Western Cape Government officially closed the facility on Sunday.

The centre had been established as a temporary humanitarian hub where foreign nationals who voluntarily chose to return home were processed by the Department of Home Affairs and their embassies before being transported to their countries of origin.

The Western Cape Government said the coordinated repatriation operation had been successfully completed, with all registered individuals departing after verification and logistical planning.

“The Western Cape Government, together with municipalities, national government departments, humanitarian organisations, faith-based partners and law enforcement agencies, has successfully concluded the coordinated humanitarian support operation that assisted foreign nationals who voluntarily elected to return to their countries of origin,” a statement said.

Premier Alan Winde thanked government departments, humanitarian organisations, faith-based groups and foreign missions for ensuring a safe and orderly process.

“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.

“We are deeply grateful to every individual and organisation that played a role in ensuring a safe, dignified and orderly process. I also want to thank our mediators who worked hard to defuse tensions. You played an important part in ensuring unrest did not erupt in our province. I am also deeply grateful for the engagements our International Relations Directorate initiated with affected foreign missions,” said Winde.

The government also announced that municipalities would no longer provide transport for repatriation and urged foreign nationals seeking assistance to work directly with their embassies or use normal immigration processes.

Despite the closure, hundreds of people remained camped outside the facility awaiting repatriation, with humanitarian organisations continuing to provide support.

Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission expressed concern that some embassies had encouraged their nationals to report for repatriation without providing sufficient staff or funding to facilitate the process. The commission said it would continue monitoring the situation and consider legal action if necessary to protect the rights of those affected.

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