Thousands of Zimbabweans have been leaving South Africa following a wave of xenophobic violence, with many describing beatings, robbery, and direct threats from anti-migrant groups.
According to Al Jazeera, nearly 21,300 people have been officially repatriated by the Zimbabwean government over a five-week period. An additional 56,800 more made the journey home on their own, bringing the total number of returnees to approximately 78,100.
Those returning have described violent encounters with anti-migrant groups inside South Africa. Accounts include physical assaults and theft targeting foreign nationals.
South Africa has a long history of anti-immigrant sentiment and periodic outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals, many of whom migrate from neighboring countries including Zimbabwe in search of work. The latest wave comes as economic pressures in the region continue to push large numbers of people across the border.
The Zimbabwean government has been involved in organizing transport for those seeking to return. The scale of the repatriation over just five weeks points to the intensity of the situation on the ground.
