IOL
For Nobuhle*, everything she had built over the years disappeared in a single moment.
The chef, who had been living and working in Soweto, Johannesburg, fled South Africa with nothing more than a small handbag after her home was allegedly burnt down during the ongoing anti-migrant violence.
She is now among the traumatised patients receiving care from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) across the border in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.
The humanitarian organisation said it is alarmed that even documented migrants have been left with little choice but to flee South Africa for their safety because of the ongoing anti-migrant violence and threats.
“I found my house burnt down. I lost my passport and permit, all my clothes and furniture, my children’s birth records and birth certificates. I have nothing with me. All I have is this small handbag. I do not even have a change of clothes.
“I thought having a passport and permit would save me, but I was wrong. I wanted to kill myself. I have lost hope, and I do not know what I will do,” she told the organisation.
MSF said tens of thousands of people are moving through the South Africa-Zimbabwe border post to return to their home countries, with many allegedly defaulting on treatment for serious medical conditions after losing access to their chronic medication while fleeing.
Among them is 46-year-old Freedom Matemavi*, a Zimbabwean who said he had lived in South Africa since 2009.
Despite holding a valid passport and work permit, he said he was forced to leave the country after his health deteriorated because he had allegedly lost access to his antiretroviral (ARV) medication.
“I defaulted on my medication for three months because of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. I could no longer access the clinic as I used to, and my condition worsened. Before all this, the nurses in South Africa would not take it lightly if we missed the day for collecting our ARVs. Now everything has changed; they no longer want us.”
He added that when he arrived on the Zimbabwean side of the border, he was admitted to hospital for four days.
“I had lost a lot of weight, my leg was swollen, and I was feeling very weak. I am happy because I received a one-month supply of ARVs and was referred to a local clinic in Gweru for continued treatment.”
MSF said it is deeply concerned about these interruptions to healthcare.
“MSF is particularly concerned about interruptions in healthcare among people living with HIV, TB, diabetes, hypertension and mental health conditions, as defaulting on treatment can have serious and, in some cases, life-threatening consequences.”
For many people crossing the border, the journey home has allegedly meant leaving behind their homes, possessions, employment and access to healthcare, with many now facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives while continuing treatment for chronic illnesses.
Amnesty International South Africa also called on the government to uphold its constitutional responsibilities amid the ongoing violence and displacement.
“The South African government has a constitutional obligation to respect, uphold and protect everyone within South Africa, regardless of nationality, language, documentation or where they call home. Human dignity has no nationality.”
*Names have been changed to protect their identities.
