By Desire Tshuma
Harare – The Zimbabwean government has confirmed that 3,624 nationals have been repatriated from South Africa as of 26 June 2026, following a period of disturbances across the border.
In a statement issued on 29 June, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said an interministerial team is stationed at Beitbridge Border Post to manage the return process “around the clock.” The team is facilitating border clearance and providing on-the-ground support for returnees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also mobilised logistics and deployed additional staff to ensure consular services can handle the scale of the operation.
Dr Soda acknowledged that some returnees have experienced delays at the border. He said the hold-ups are due to profiling checks conducted by South African authorities. The checks involve verifying returnees’ personal details against South Africa’s national database to confirm there are no outstanding criminal matters before clearance is granted.
The government has also announced support measures for those returning. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed all schools in Zimbabwe to absorb children of repatriated families without exception. “No child shall be turned away. Every returning child deserves the opportunity to continue their learning and build a future in their homeland,” Dr Soda said.
Treasury has further extended duty relief to returnees. The immigrants’ rebate of duty, previously available to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders, will now apply to personal, household and commercial property brought back by the current returnees. To qualify, the property must have been purchased prior to 31 December 2022. Officials say the rebate will not cover new items and will be subject to evaluation to prevent abuse.
“Zimbabwe will always be happy to receive its nationals back home. This is their country. This is their home,” Dr Soda said. “No matter where life has taken them, no matter the circumstances that bring them back, they will always find open arms and a warm welcome on Zimbabwean soil.”