Limpopo ANC says the government must not allow the situation in Vhembe to be permanent
Image: RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
The ANC in Limpopo has warned that the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre must not become a permanent fixture, saying prolonged operations could strain resources in the Vhembe region as government accelerates efforts to process undocumented foreign nationals following last week's nationwide anti immigration protests
The warning is contained in a statement on the outcomes of the ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held on June 29, 2026, released on Wednesday, July 1, by the Office of the Provincial Secretary and issued under the name of Provincial Secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe.
“The PEC welcomed the National Government’s intervention on immigration matters and urges the government to act swiftly to process individuals of different nationalities to prevent the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre from becoming permanent and to avoid straining the resources of the Vhembe Region,” the statement reads.
The statement follows the nationwide June 30 anti-immigration protests, which took place across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and other cities, and comes amid the continued expansion of the repatriation facility outside Musina.
The Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) was established after the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration resolved on June 26 to relocate repatriation operations from a site in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, to Limpopo. The IMC is chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and includes Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
The relocation followed conditions at temporary sites in Durban, including the Durban Drive-In, Sherwood Park and Che Guevara Road, where Malawian nationals awaiting repatriation had been camping outdoors. The eThekwini Municipality confirmed on June 27 that Malawian nationals housed at the Durban Drive-In site were being moved to the new Musina facility, and said the Durban site would be decommissioned once the relocation process was complete.
According to the IMC, the jurisdiction of the Musina Refugee Reception Office was extended to allow it to conduct verifications, and logistics were activated involving the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Red Cross, the Musina Legal Advice Office, the Outreach Foundation, Save the Children and the Consul General of Malawi.
Justice Minister Kubayi said the new site was established to enable faster verification of undocumented foreign nationals, facilitate more efficient clearance through the Beitbridge Port of Entry, and serve as a decentralised processing point to reduce reliance on the Lindela Repatriation Centre. Beitbridge is South Africa’s busiest land border post and the primary crossing point for migrants returning to Zimbabwe and, from there, onward to other neighbouring countries.
As at close of business on June 25, the government reported that a total of 15,162 Malawian nationals had been processed for deportation and repatriation, with further verification of additional individuals continuing at temporary repatriation centres across the country.
Kubayi said Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo had requested the repatriation of their nationals at their own cost, with the repatriation process described as voluntary and the requesting countries responsible for transport and logistics. The government’s role, according to the IMC, is limited to verification, the issuing of orders to leave, and case-by-case humanitarian assistance.
Thousands of Malawian foreign nationals at Sherwood Hall grounds. Thousands of Malawian foreign nationals at Sherwood Hall grounds.
Image: Chumani Mazwi
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that the Musina facility, which held approximately 500 people, was being expanded. “It’s a much better environment. We are now looking to ramp that up to 4000 and even go beyond that,” Schreiber said, adding that the facility would be ready to process further arrivals of undocumented foreign nationals.
Officials involved in the expansion have indicated that capacity could ultimately be increased to accommodate significantly larger numbers should the volume of arrivals continue to rise.
The ANC Limpopo statement was released a day after the nationwide anti-immigration protests of June 30, organised in part by the group March and March, which had set an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country. Government repeatedly stated that no such official deadline existed.
Ahead of the protests, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that South Africans’ concerns about illegal immigration “are real and they deserve to be heard,” but added that “the right to protest … does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence.” Ramaphosa described taking the law into one’s own hands as “vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism.”
South Africa’s Border Management Authority reported that more than 13,000 foreign nationals, including approximately 9,000 Malawians, 3,000 Zimbabweans, 900 Ghanaians and 300 Nigerians, had either been voluntarily repatriated or deported in the two weeks preceding the protests.
The PEC meeting received political input from Provincial Chairperson Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who also serves as Premier of Limpopo. According to the statement, the input “reviewed global, continental and national political developments that influenced South Africa and the ANC during the period under review.”
The statement said the input “noted increasing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and armed conflicts in regions such as the Middle East, Ukraine and parts of Africa, while reaffirming the ANC’s commitment to peace, multilateralism, constitutional democracy and the National Democratic Revolution.”
The input also reflected on “key historical milestones, including 30 years of the Constitution, 50 years since the June 16 Uprising and 70 years since the Women’s March, emphasising the continued importance of youth empowerment, gender equality and social justice in advancing transformation,” the statement said.
On immigration specifically, the statement said the input “highlighted concerns regarding illegal immigration and growing tensions in communities, stressing that immigration laws should be enforced fairly and effectively while rejecting violence and discrimination against migrants and refugees.”
The input “also called for organisational unity, ethical leadership, stronger anti-corruption measures, community mobilisation and organisational renewal to strengthen the ANC ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections,” according to the statement.
The PEC received reports from ANC regions and the ANC leagues on organisational strengthening, community engagement and preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The committee “welcomed the continued work by ANC structures in implementing organisational programmes, supporting community mobilisation, strengthening political education and ensuring that the ANC remains rooted amongst communities,” the statement said, and “noted the improved outcomes recorded by municipalities.”
On candidate selection, the PEC “reiterated that the process must produce capable, committed and accountable public representatives who understand the challenges facing communities and who will continue to place the interests of residents at the centre of local government.”
The meeting also resolved on the appointment of Branch Task Teams for branches in the Peter Mokaba and Waterberg regions affected by ward boundary changes.
On voter registration, the PEC “expressed appreciation to ANC volunteers and members across the province for the work undertaken to support and ensure the success of the open voter registration weekend,” and thanked residents “who utilised this opportunity to register, verify and update their voter details.”
The PEC considered a report on water provision in Limpopo and “welcomed progress on major water infrastructure initiatives across the province, including strategic projects such as the Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project, Olifants River Water Resource Development Project, Moretele North Water Supply Scheme, Musina Water Augmentation Project and Tzaneen Dam Raising Project.”
District-level projects noted in the statement include the Giyani Water Services Project, the Mametja-Sekororo Bulk Water Project, the Sinthumule-Kutama Bulk Water Supply Project, the Polokwane Bulk Water Supply Project and the Moutse Bulk Water Supply Scheme.
The PEC resolved “that the Rapid Response Task Team and the Premier must intervene on all projects that have been completed for a considerable period but remain in the water testing phase, as well as projects delayed due to delays in the appointment of contractors.” The statement added that the PEC “emphasised the need to ensure that communities benefit from completed infrastructure investments without unnecessary delays.”
Tens of thousands of March and March supporters took to the streets in Durban on June 30, demanding that illegal immigrants leave the country.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
On road infrastructure, the PEC noted that the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) and the Department of Roads, Public Works and Infrastructure are managing a combined total of 104 projects, including road upgrades from gravel to tar and ongoing maintenance programmes.
The committee “reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for the proposed High-Speed Rail Project between Limpopo and Gauteng” and resolved that PEC officials must engage the Presidency on the handover of the contractor for the ZCC Interchange Project.
On economic development, the PEC welcomed progress at the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) and the gazetting of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ).
The committee also received a report on Great North Transport (GNT), noting an increase in operational buses from 58 to more than 219, along with improved passenger numbers and revenue. The PEC welcomed the appointment of former Member of the Provincial Legislature Dr David “Che” Selane as Chief Operations Officer of GNT.
The PEC congratulated ANC Vhembe Regional Chairperson Dr Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe on completing his PhD, and PEC member Kedibone Lebea on completing her Master’s degree.
The committee extended condolences to the families of Koko Maponkelo Maria Mogale, mother of struggle stalwart Ephraim Mogale; Naledzane Mashapha, a former SASCO President; and Mthambheleni Mutoti, a Regional Executive Committee member of the ANC in Vhembe.
The statement concludes that “the ANC Limpopo remains committed to organisational renewal, accountable governance and advancing the aspirations of the people through continued political work and decisive action in defence of the National Democratic Revolution.”