Six camps in South Africa housing thousands of people displaced by a wave of violence against foreigners in May are due to be closed shortly.
Six camps in South Africa housing thousands of people displaced by a wave of violence against foreigners in May are due to be closed shortly.
But a last-ditch legal challenge by a group of charities could delay the closures.
But a last-ditch legal challenge by a group of human rights groups could delay the closures.
The country's constitutional court is due to rule on an appeal by the charities to keep the camps open.
The country's Constitutional Court is due to rule on an appeal by the charities to keep the camps open.
The camps were set up in May after 60 people were killed and thousands displaced by anti-immigrant riots.
The camps were set up in May after 60 people were killed and thousands displaced by anti-immigrant riots.
Earlier this week, a high court judge rejected a submission by human rights groups which argued the closure would violate the rights of the displaced.
Earlier this week, a high court judge rejected a submission by human rights groups which argued the closure would violate the rights of the displaced.
It's not safe, they're saying, 'We're going to kill them' Zimbabwean at Rand airport camp
The provincial government in Gauteng has said it is now safe for the foreigners to return to their homes.
The provincial government in Gauteng has said it is now safe for the foreigners to return to their homes.
The violence - which caused the worst bloodshed in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 - began in a township north of Johannesburg before spreading to other parts of the country.
The violence - which caused the worst bloodshed in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 - began in a township north of Johannesburg before spreading to other parts of the country.
Those attacked were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime. Twenty-one South Africans, mistaken by gangs for foreigners, were among those killed.
Those attacked were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime. Twenty-one South Africans, mistaken by gangs for foreigners, were among those killed.
Contingency plan
Police waiting
Many of those targeted returned to their home countries after the violence in May, while others returned to South African townships - but more than 2,000 of them are still in the secure camps in Gauteng.
Many of those targeted returned to their home countries after the violence in May, while others returned to South African townships - but more than 2,000 of them are still in the secure camps in Gauteng.
We are also convinced that conditions exist in all the communities in Gauteng for the displaced people to safely return to their places Thabo MasebeGauteng provincial government
The BBC's Jonah Fisher at Rand airport camp says its 1,500 foreign nationals are queuing for food and the latrine with the police waiting outside for the decision of the Constitutional Court at about midday local time.
They were never intended to be permanent, the government says, so on Friday six camps are due to be dismantled at noon, forcing the occupants to decide what to do next.
Scores of patrol cars and vans are also outside, he says.
The remaining camps in other parts of the country that housed some 4,000 displaced people are scheduled to be shut down in the coming weeks.
If the appeal is rejected, the police are expected to move in immediately.
The government says the camps were never intended to be permanent.
A spokesman for Gauteng's provincial government told the BBC that it would guarantee the safety of those returning to their homes.
A spokesman for Gauteng's provincial government told the BBC that it would guarantee the safety of those returning to their homes.
We are also convinced that conditions exist in all the communities in Gauteng for the displaced people to safely return to their places Thabo MasebeGauteng provincial government
"They have to leave the shelter because we actually invited them... at a time of need. We think enough has been done to do that," Thabo Masebe said.
"They have to leave the shelter because we actually invited them... at a time of need. We think enough has been done to do that," Thabo Masebe said.
"We are also convinced that conditions exist in all the communities in Gauteng for the displaced people to safely return to their places. So, we don't expect anybody to refuse to leave."
"We are also convinced that conditions exist in all the communities in Gauteng for the displaced people to safely return to their places. So, we don't expect anybody to refuse to leave."
But a Zimbabwean man at Rand airport camp said he was worried about returning to the community where he lived.
"It's not safe, they're saying, 'We're going to kill them,'" he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Mr Masebe said the Gauteng government had a contingency plan to assist those left stranded on Friday with no place to go.
Mr Masebe said the Gauteng government had a contingency plan to assist those left stranded on Friday with no place to go.
The remaining camps in other parts of the country that housed some 4,000 displaced people are scheduled to be shut down in the coming weeks.
Last week, the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres criticised the South African authorities for not communicating any places for the reintegration of the displaced and not properly engaging in a dialogue with camp residents about their immediate future.
Last week, the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres criticised the South African authorities for not communicating any places for the reintegration of the displaced and not properly engaging in a dialogue with camp residents about their immediate future.
Are you in Gauteng? What impact will closure of the camps have? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below:
Are you in Gauteng? What impact will closure of the camps have? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below:
