Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba announced the establishment of a repatriation facilitation office to assist foreign nationals wishing to return voluntarily to their home countries [1].
The move comes as the city seeks to manage rising immigration tensions and provide a structured pathway for refugees and legal residents to leave South Africa. By formalizing the process, the municipality aims to provide a legal and supportive framework for those who no longer wish to remain in the eThekwini municipality [2].
Xaba said the office is intended for those who are in the country legally and desire a voluntary return. The decision follows direct outreach from refugees originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Ethiopia [3].
"We will establish a repatriation facilitation office for those foreign nationals who are in the country legally, and who wish to return to their country of origin voluntarily," Xaba said [1].
The center will function as a facilitation hub, helping individuals navigate the logistics of returning to their countries of origin. This initiative focuses specifically on legally recognized foreign nationals and refugees, ensuring that the process remains voluntary and organized [2].
Local officials said the initiative is a response to the needs expressed by these communities. The city intends for the office to streamline the departure process, reducing the chaos often associated with unplanned migrations, while maintaining compliance with legal standards [3].
“We will establish a repatriation facilitation office for those foreign nationals who are in the country legally”
The creation of a municipal-led repatriation office suggests that local governments in South Africa are taking a more active role in migration management. By focusing on voluntary returns for legal residents and refugees from specific nations like the DRC and Ethiopia, Durban is attempting to alleviate social tensions through administrative support rather than solely relying on national deportation mandates.
