Zimbabweans Leave after Xenophobic Attacks in Vuwani, SA

A number of Zimbabweans who had been living and working in Tshino village, Thohoyandou, Vuwani, have moved to other areas of Limpopo or returned to Zimbabwe after xenophobic violence erupted last month.

Spokesperson for SAPS in Limpopo Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said about eight houses belonging to immigrants had been torched on the night of 17 March.

Two suspects were arrested and are to appear in court on 25 April on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and arson.

Some Zimbabweans were accommodated by their employers on farms in Levubu several kilometres away.

“I miss my fellow Zimbabweans. We used to stay as a family but we are now scattered in Limpopo,” said Tevera Mucheka. He lost his bakkie and the house he has rented for over ten years. He has now moved to Duthuni, 20km from Tshino village.

“I lost my Zimbabwean passport, driver’s licence and customers who usually brought cars for repairs,” said Mucheka, who is a mechanic.