Bulawayo bus operators see rise in returnees and drop in SA-bound travellers

Long-distance cross-border bus operators in Bulawayo say they have recorded a sharp decline in the number of passengers travelling to South Africa, while witnessing a steady increase in Zimbabweans returning home amid renewed anti-migrant protests in the neighbouring country.

The decline in outbound travel comes as anxiety grows among Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa following demonstrations by anti-immigration groups calling for stricter enforcement against undocumented foreign nationals.

A visit by CITE to long-distance bus ranks in Bulawayo on Tuesday found unusually quiet scenes, with only a handful of prospective travellers making inquiries about trips to Johannesburg and other South African destinations.

Several buses scheduled to depart for Johannesburg had only a few passengers on board, while others remained largely empty as operators waited for customers.

Bus operators attributed the slowdown to fears sparked by anti-migrant demonstrations and uncertainty surrounding the widely publicised "June 30" campaign by anti-immigration groups in South Africa.

A representative from Brooklyn Bus Services, who identified himself only as Mpondo, said business had deteriorated significantly since the protests gathered momentum.

"Business is very low at the moment. Around this time, at about 11am, we would normally have more than 20 passengers, but today we are struggling to get even 10 customers," he said.

Despite the reduced demand, fares from Bulawayo to South Africa have remained unchanged at R500.

"Yesterday we travelled with a good number of passengers. We are not sure whether the situation will improve today because the marches are happening on the South African side," Mpondo said.

While fewer people are travelling south, bus operators say services from South Africa into Zimbabwe have been operating at full capacity over the past two weeks as increasing numbers of Zimbabweans make their way back home.

A representative from Delta Coaches said the company had witnessed a significant shift in passenger traffic.

"For the past two weeks, business to South Africa has been very low. We have seen many Zimbabweans returning home, particularly those being repatriated, who are dropped off at the Beitbridge Border Post before being transported by buses and other organisations. On some days, we have seen up to seven buses heading there to collect returnees," he said.

The returnees are processed by immigration officials at the Beitbridge Border Post before continuing their journeys to different parts of Zimbabwe.

The surge in demand for return journeys has also driven up fares, with tickets from South Africa to Zimbabwe now ranging between R1 000 and R1 200.

"So far, our buses are travelling safely and everything is normal on the road," the Delta Coaches representative added.

A Revival Motors representative, who identified himself as Dumi, echoed similar sentiments, saying the influx of returning Zimbabweans had pushed transport costs higher.

"Business from South Africa to Zimbabwe has been very good over the past two weeks. Some passengers complained about the fare increases, but the prices were driven by demand," he said.

According to Dumi, fares that previously averaged about R700 have risen to between R1 000 and R1 200.

"Many customers were not prepared for the higher fares, but because of the anticipated protests, they had little choice but to travel," he said.

He added that travellers carrying valid passports had generally crossed the border without incident.

"Those with passports have been travelling without problems over the past two days. But for those without travel documents, anything can happen," he said.

Efforts to speak to Zimbabweans returning from South Africa were largely unsuccessful, with many appearing reluctant to discuss their experiences.

Most quietly boarded connecting buses after crossing the border, declining interview requests. While several appeared visibly exhausted by the circumstances surrounding their return, many also expressed relief at finally being back home.

One returnee, who declined to be identified, said only: "We were told to come back home, and that's what I did. I have nothing else to say."

Another, carrying several bags after arriving from Beitbridge, briefly remarked: "I am just happy to be home."

The demonstrations in South Africa have heightened uncertainty among migrant communities, prompting some Zimbabweans to return home while others have postponed planned journeys until the situation stabilises.