Maseru — The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has confirmed that buses arranged to assist Basotho citizens returning from South Africa have arrived safely in Durban and are expected to depart for Lesotho soon.

DMA Public Relations Officer Ms Mahlape Koali said five buses from Newcastle had already arrived in Ficksburg, while an additional 13 buses from Durban and Pietermaritzburg were expected to leave on Monday. These buses will also transport people to Ficksburg, where they will receive assistance from the Lesotho Consulate based in Welkom.

The repatriation arrangements come ahead of a planned march by some South African groups against what they refer to as illegal immigrants, scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation has expressed concern over the growing tensions surrounding migration in South Africa, saying the issue has created more controversy than constructive dialogue.

In a statement, the Foundation said: ‘’The issue of migration in South Africa seems to have generated more heat than light. This has occupied public discourse at home and abroad. As a Foundation, we are committed to catalysing the Renaissance of Africa, we cannot avoid adding our voice to this matter which threatens to undermine all efforts of building African unity.

‘’The images of anti-African-immigrant marches in our country reflect images of despair rather than hope in the future of our continent and mothers with crying babies at their backs in cold winter nights and mornings are an affront to our collective humanity. We are deeply concerned about the fracture this creates in our continent, turning a long-held dream of a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa occupying with dignity, its rightful place amongst the nations of the world into an unending nightmare.’’

The Foundation further commented on remarks made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying they appeared to align with arguments advanced by groups such as Operation Dudula, the newly formed March and March movement, as well as political parties including ActionSA and ATM.

It said these groups argue that illegal migration in South Africa has reached levels that contribute to challenges such as unemployment, crime and slow economic growth.

‘’By the same token, he joined these campaigners against ‘undocumented migrants’ to make the statement that these ‘illegal migrants’ are the cause of such phenomena in our country as the high levels of unemployment, high levels of crime and lack of economic growth.

‘’However, President Ramaphosa and others who claim ‘illegal migrants’ are to blame lack evidence regarding their actual number in South Africa. Their arguments remain speculative, conjecture, undermining informed responses to this societal concern.

‘’This represents a notable shortcoming for the Head of State and Government. When a serious threat to a country is asserted, any Head of State and Government is obligated to understand this threat as thoroughly as possible.

‘’The State has all the tools and resources to understand such a threat. This is the basis for formulation of an appropriate response. The simple reason is that such a Head of State & Government would be obligated to lead the country in confronting the threat. Without correct information such a response is likely to be a hit and miss.’’

The Foundation warned that hostility towards foreign nationals threatens the broader vision of African unity and could deepen divisions across the continent.

Meanwhile, citizens from other countries had already begun leaving South Africa last week following warnings issued by organisers of the planned demonstrations.

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