By Agencies

PRETORIA: The Zimbabwe embassy in South Africa has dismissed reports claiming it is offering free transportation and deportation services to Zimbabwean citizens living in SA.

A “fake” poster has been circulating on social media platforms, urging Zimbabweans to register for “free buses” back to their home country.

However, in a formal statement on Tuesday, the embassy refuted these claims.

​“The embassy would like to state, in the strongest terms, that this information is false, misleading, and not issued by any official authority,” it stated.

​“The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has not initiated or authorised any such programme.”

​The fake postings and official response come amid continued protests against foreigners in different parts of the country led by groups such as the March and March Movement.

Hundreds of protesters marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners.

Protests continued on Wednesday in the Johannesburg CBD, with local shops closed due to fears of looting.

​“These incidents pose a serious risk to the safety and well-being of Zimbabwean nationals residing in South Africa,” the embassy added.

​It further cautioned Zimbabwean nationals to:

• Remain vigilant and avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place;
• ​Stay indoors and limit unplanned movements;
• Report any incidents to the local SAPS, the embassy, or the Zimbabwe consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town; and
• ​Keep essential documents with them at all times.
• ​The embassy urged the public to rely on the official communication channels of the embassy for verified information.

Anti-immigration groups in South Africa are calling for the strict enforcement of immigration laws and mass deportations.

As one of Africa’s most industrialized economies, South Africa attracts migrants — those who entered the country legally and illegally in search of opportunities.

This week’s protests in Johannesburg resulted in the closure of many shops, owned by both locals and migrants, due to fears of potential looting or opportunistic crimes.

Organized by the anti-immigration group March and March, it also attracted similar organizations, including Operation Dudula and political parties ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance.

“We are not xenophobic, we just want the right thing to be done in South Africa, to put the South African first,” said Themba Mabunda of ActionSA, who participated in the march.

“We do want to live with foreigners in our country, but those foreigners must be legally in the country.”

Estimates of migrants who are in South Africa illegally vary significantly, with figures often cited of 3 to 5 million. Accurate up-to-date figures are contested as many of the foreigners lack legal status.

Anti-immigration groups argue that illegal immigration causes urban overcrowding, labour tensions, tax revenue loss, and crime and border security threats in a country where unemployment exceeds 30%.

In some instances, anti-migration groups have chased foreign nationals away from public health facilities, claiming they were contributing to a shortage of medication and overcrowding.

The secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, recently expressed concern over reports of xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Province.

An anti-migration march in Eastern Cape Province last month resulted in the violent torching of minibus taxis and public infrastructure, while alleged attacks on Ghanaian nationals in KwaZulu-Natal sparked a diplomatic incident that saw South Africa’s ambassador to Ghana summoned to explain the attacks.

South Africa deported 109,344 immigrants living in the country illegally over the past two financial years as it ramps up immigration enforcement.