Government Funds Full Logistics Chain as Immigration Pressures in SA Drive Homeward Movement
Harare, Zimbabwe – The Government of Zimbabwe has intensified operations to facilitate the safe, orderly, and dignified return of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa, following recent immigration policy changes and heightened social tensions in the neighbouring country.
The intervention comes amid a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations in South Africa that has triggered increased movement of foreign nationals across the region.
Providing an official update, George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications, said the State is funding the entire repatriation process and has deployed buses and processing teams to key hubs.
Three buses have already departed Cape Town with returnees bound for Beitbridge. A further two buses are en route to Johannesburg to collect additional nationals.
A dedicated facility has been opened at Epping Repatriation Centre specifically to assist returnees. Currently it has 1,000 nationals awaiting transport. They will be ferried home once documentation is finalised.
Two buses have departed Port Elizabeth for Beitbridge.
In Johannesburg, eleven buses are on standby to move returnees. 500 nationals are being processed, with departure set once formalities are complete. A further five buses are stationed at Powerhouse, where 300 returnees are undergoing processing.
In Durban and other areas, twelve buses are currently in transit to Beitbridge.
Mr. Charamba said all necessary logistical arrangements have been put in place to ensure that Zimbabweans who wish to return can do so through structured government assistance rather than informal or risky channels.
“All these far-flung relocation operations are being wholly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe ,which has availed all buses on which Zimbabwean returnees are travelling,” he said.
“Government is ready to come to the assistance of all Zimbabweans wishing to come back home.”
The government also reiterated its commitment to the seamless reintegration of returnees into communities, with relevant ministries expected to coordinate support on arrival at Beitbridge and beyond.
The repatriation drive follows growing anti-immigration sentiment and public demonstrations in parts of South Africa, which have left some foreign nationals stranded or seeking to return home. Government officials described the State’s intervention as timely and commendable, noting that it has enabled nationals who were vulnerable in South Africa to return safely.
The government has assisted more than 5,000 returnees while another 35,000 have returned on their own.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Department of Immigration, and other agencies, is overseeing the operation through to completion.
