South Africa Opens Migrant Processing Centre After Xenophobic Violence Surge

South Africa began processing undocumented migrants at a temporary repatriation centre in Musina, a border town with Zimbabwe, in July 2026. The move came after weeks of intensified anti-migrant rhetoric and xenophobic attacks across the country. The centre marks a shift in how South Africa handles undocumented migrants. Unlike many African nations that rely on sprawling refugee camps, South Africa has historically avoided establishing such camps. Instead, authorities aim to process and repatriate individuals directly from border facilities. Officials have not disclosed how many people will pass through the Musina centre or how long it will operate. The government says the facility is a temporary measure to address immediate humanitarian and security concerns following the recent violence.