South African authorities by the end of September could deport at least 2,000 refugees who sought shelter in government camps following the wave of xenophobic violence that targeted foreigners in the country in May and have refused to vacate such camps.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted Gauteng Province Executive Committee Member Kgaogelo Lekgoro as saying six camps for refugees from the anti-foreigner violence will be dismantled at month’s end, and residents in the country illegally will be deported.

Sources say as many as 9, 000 refugess remain in the camps, mostly Zimbabweans.

A ruling by the South African Constitutional Court last month gave the refugees until next week to leave the camps.

VOA was unable to obtain details or clarification from the Home Affairs

Chairman Sox Chikowero of the Global Zimbabwe Forum told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe the threatened deportations represent a violation of human rights, especially for Zimbabweans who he said could be persecuted if they go home.

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