1,800 Zimbabweans Ask to Go Home: "Better Safe Than Sorry" in South Africa

CAPE TOWN — More than 1,800 Zimbabwean immigrants have requested voluntary repatriation from South Africa, saying they feel unsafe after being displaced in the Western Cape. The group, which includes families, has asked for official help to return to Zimbabwe. Local authorities confirmed the requests, describing the situation as a growing humanitarian concern. "We are choosing to leave. It is better to be safe than sorry," one displaced immigrant told officials. The Western Cape has seen a rise in immigrant displacement in recent weeks. Aid groups say many families are living in temporary shelters with limited access to food and water. South African authorities are now working with Zimbabwean officials to process the repatriation requests. The process is expected to take several weeks. No official reason for the sudden displacement has been released, but community leaders cite rising tensions and economic pressures in the region.