Repatriated Namibians eye South Africa return
Namibian citizens recently repatriated from South Africa due to xenophobic violence are expressing a desire to return to South Africa for economic reasons. The Namibian government maintains that it will handle future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis while acknowledging the citizens' right to freedom of movement.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between humanitarian repatriation efforts and the economic necessity that drives migration, as well as the challenges of managing regional xenophobia.
The government will assess future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis as repatriated citizens express hope of returning to South Africa.
This comes as some of the Namibians repatriated from South Africa say they hope to return once the anti-immigrant violence in the neighbouring country cools, because that’s where they were earning a living.
Some 72 Namibians were repatriated on Sunday and have returned to their various regions of origin.
“With regard to future assistance, any circumstances that may arise will be considered on their own merits and may be considered through appropriate government processes.
“It would be premature to speculate about hypothetical future scenarios at this stage,” acting executive director of international relations and trade Secilia Hiskia told The Namibian yesterday. The repatriation followed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, where growing anger over unemployment, crime and illegal immigration has led to attacks on foreign nationals.
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