Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe has commended the people of Nelson Mandela Bay for the humane and peaceful manner in which they handled the issue involving foreign nationals on 30 June 2026.
No serious incidents have been reported within Nelson Mandela Bay, except for isolated instances of intimidation in Kuyga.
To date, 374 Zimbabwean foreign nationals have been received by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Disaster Management Centre for voluntary repatriation. Working with the Zimbabwean Embassy since yesterday evening, the first bus has already arrived to transport the Zimbabwean foreign nationals to Beit Bridge Border Management centre for processing before they continue to their home country.
The security cluster, which includes SAPS, Metro Police, Municipal Security, the Border Management Authority and other relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor the situation closely for any further incidents.
“I would like to thank the people of Nelson Mandela Bay for the way they have conducted themselves during this time. The manner in which our residents have handled the situation demonstrates that we are the people of Nelson Mandela – a community that believes in Ubuntu, respects human dignity and allows the rule of law to prevail,” said Executive Mayor Cllr Lobishe.
The Disaster Management Centre, working together with other stake holders and NGOs, has been providing support to foreign nationals who are still awaiting transport by assisting with basic necessities such as food, toiletries and essential items for children.
The Executive Mayor said the Joint Operations Centre will remain operational to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the rule of law continues to prevail.
