Feature: Zimbabweans repatriated amid threats to hit back at S. Africa businesses

Over 1,000 Zimbabweans are heading back to their home country following an outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa's eastern port city of Durban.

They are among many Zimbabweans who try to escape poverty and seek a new life in South Africa.

Tabitha Moyo, 36, is one of the Zimbabweans being repatriated by her government. She said: "Enough is enough; it's time to go back home. I'm grateful to my government for coming to my rescue.

"It's so unfortunate that when I came to South Africa, I expected to be treated like a human being. Now they looted all my things in the shop, now I'm going home empty handed. But, thank God I'm safe," Moyo told Xinhua as she packed her small suitcase which contained only her baby's clothes and hers.

Moyo was upbeat about her journey home and seemed not to care much when her child was crying.

She said to the child: "Be at peace my child, by tomorrow we'll be home, free from all troubles".

Violence against foreign nationals from other African countries is common in South Africa, with impoverished locals accusing foreigners of taking their jobs and business.

Although the South African government has condemned the violence, with President Jacob Zuma sending a team of officials to assess the situation, the situation remained tense in Johannesburg.

The Zimbabwean government has set up a civic protection unit at the Beitbridge Border Post in preparation of the arrivals of victims of xenophobic attacks. The initial batch of repatriated Zimbabweans is expected on Sunday.

"We're prepared to take the Zimbabweans to a reception centre at Beitbridge before taking them to their respective places," an official at the centre said in a telephone interview.

The Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa Issac Moyo reportedly said the Zimbabwean government had already completed the identification and processing of the victims of xenophobic attacks.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations in South Africa have threatened to hit back the xenophobic violence by attacking South African companies.

Mordekai Shumba, President of Organisation of African Youth, demanded that South Africa stop xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals and their shops, or their companies in Zimbabwe will be shut down.

"Should there be any more attacks, we are going to shut down South African businesses in Zimbabwe," Shumba told a press conference in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Zimbabwe is South Africa's largest trading partner in the region. A number of South Africa companies are operating in Zimbabwe. The companies include Standard Bank, Impala Platinum, Old Mutual and Tongaat-Hulett, to named only a few.

Shumba, also president of Zimbabwe Exile Forum, said it was concerning that security forces in South Africa are reluctant to act on the upsurge of foreign attacks.

"It's in this light that we call upon the SA government to declare disaster area, deploy the army and impose curfews in volatile areas. We hope that there is no unwillingness to protect citizens and nationals of other countries as a crime against humanity."

He also took a swipe at Africa National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe for suggesting that immigrants in the country should be put in camps. "We reject the proposal as it can only exacerbate isolation and vulnerability of Africa immigrants in South Africa," Shumba said.

The xenophobic attacks were triggered after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said foreigners should "pack their bags and leave." He later said his remarks had been misinterpreted and that he had been referring to criminal elements only. Endi