South Africa-Zimbabwe Border: MSF Provides Medical Care Amid Repatriation Chaos

• Tens of thousands of migrants fleeing violence, intimidation, and harassment in South Africa are moving through the country on their return journey to neighboring countries.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams at the South Africa-Zimbabwe border towns of Musina and Beitbridge have been providing treatment to people who are traumatized and those who have had their access to lifesaving HIV and other chronic medication disrupted.
• The repatriation centre in Musina, which had been overwhelmed with thousands of people, has had its capacity significantly scaled down from 20,000 to 1,500 people as of August 1, 2026.

The disruptions in medical care and chronic medication during repatriation processes have serious consequences for migrants who rely on these services.

Tens of thousands of migrants fleeing violence, intimidation, and harassment in South Africa are moving through the country on their return journey to neighboring countries. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams at the South Africa-Zimbabwe border towns of Musina and Beitbridge have been providing treatment to people who are traumatized and those who have had their access to lifesaving HIV and other chronic medication disrupted.

The repatriation centre in Musina, run by the South African government, which had been overwhelmed with thousands of people, has had its capacity significantly scaled down from 20,000 to 1,500 people as of August 1, 2026, following a decline in the number of undocumented foreign nationals requiring processing. The mood is desolate, and many are fearful and desperate. MSF's medical tent is located far from where people queue daily for buses back to their home countries, making it harder to reach some patients.

The disruption in medical care is particularly concerning for migrants who rely on chronic medication, such as HIV treatment. Munyaradzi*, a Zimbabwean migrant, has been struggling with debilitating pain since being exposed to a toxic chemical while working in a gold mine six years ago. He has not had access to his chronic pain medication for seven weeks and was forced to travel to Musina to get it.

The trauma experienced by migrants is also evident at the Beitbridge reception centre, where MSF counsellors are concerned about the emotional distress their patients are experiencing.

Lawyers advising clients who are Zimbabwean or migrant workers in South Africa should be aware of the potential for disruptions to medical care and chronic medication during repatriation processes. The narrative that the so-called 'self-repatriation' process is always voluntary is questionable, as many migrants insist that they have little choice other than to flee for their safety.

The South African government's handling of repatriation has been criticized, with many migrants facing difficulties in accessing medical care and chronic medication. MSF teams are working to provide treatment to those in need, but the situation remains dire.

The disruptions in medical care have serious implications for migrants who rely on chronic medication. Joseph*, a Malawian migrant, was forced to leave his HIV medication behind when he fled from South Africa. He was relieved to receive his medication from MSF at the Beitbridge reception centre.

The disruptions in medical care and chronic medication during repatriation processes have serious consequences for migrants who rely on these services. Lawyers advising clients should be aware of the potential challenges and advise their clients on how to navigate them.

MSF teams are working tirelessly to provide treatment to those in need, but more needs to be done to ensure continuity of care for migrants. The South African government must take responsibility for ensuring that migrants have access to medical care and chronic medication during repatriation processes.

The situation on the ground is dire, with thousands of migrants facing difficulties in accessing medical care and chronic medication. It is imperative that the international community takes notice and provides support to address this crisis.

Lawyers advising clients who are Zimbabwean or migrant workers in South Africa should be aware of the potential for disruptions to medical care and chronic medication, particularly HIV treatment, during repatriation processes. They may need to advise clients on how to navigate these challenges and ensure continuity of care.

Source: Original reporting via Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)