Zimbabwe says 3,624 nationals repatriated from South Africa, announces relief measures for returnees
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s government says it has repatriated 3,624 citizens displaced by unrest in South Africa and has deployed an interministerial team to the Beitbridge border post to assist returning nationals while announcing duty concessions and education support for affected families.
In a statement Monday, Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the government was intensifying efforts to facilitate the return of Zimbabweans.
“Government wishes to give an update on the ongoing repatriation of our compatriots affected by the current disturbances in South Africa. As of the 26th of June 2026, approximately 3,624 of our nationals had been successfully repatriated and received back into the country,” Soda said. “To ensure the seamless receiving of returnees, an interministerial team has been deployed and is currently stationed at Beitbridge, working around the clock to facilitate smooth border clearance and provide on-the-ground support to every returning citizen.”
Soda said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had mobilised logistics for the repatriation exercise following a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while additional personnel had been deployed to strengthen consular services handling the operation.
He acknowledged that some Zimbabweans had experienced delays returning home but said these were due to mandatory security procedures carried out by South African authorities.
“We must address the delays that some of our returnees have experienced. Current delays in the processing of returnees are a result of profiling requirements by the South African authorities. This is a mandatory security procedure undertaken by the host country, which entails checking personal data against their national data bank to ensure returnees have no criminal issues in South Africa. Until this process is complete, our citizens remain under South African jurisdiction. We understand the frustration this causes and are doing everything within our means to expedite the process and bring our people home safely and swiftly,” Soda said.
The government also announced a special dispensation for returnees, saying Treasury had extended concessions previously available to holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) under the immigrants’ rebate of duty to Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
According to the statement, qualifying returnees will be allowed to import one motor vehicle duty-free, although value-added tax will still be payable under Zimbabwe Revenue Authority valuation rules. The concession also covers personal household goods and commercial equipment purchased before Dec. 31, 2022, subject to verification to prevent abuse. Government said it would allow flexibility on arrival times to enable returnees to clear their goods.
Soda said the concessions would not apply to new items and would only be available to eligible individuals.
“We are also pleased to advise that a special dispensation has been granted to our returnees. Treasury has extended the concessions previously granted to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders to our current returnees under the immigrants’ rebate of duty, on the same terms and conditions. This is subject to appropriate evaluation to limit potential abuse by non-qualifying individuals,” he said.
The government further announced measures aimed at ensuring children returning from South Africa continue with their education.
“Furthermore, His Excellency President Mnangagwa has issued a clear and compassionate directive regarding the children of returnees. All schools across Zimbabwe have been instructed to make every effort to absorb children of returnees who need access to education facilities within their catchment areas. No child shall be turned away. Every returning child deserves the opportunity to continue their learning and build a future in their homeland,” Soda said.
Soda concluded by assuring Zimbabweans that they would always be welcomed back into the country.
“Zimbabwe will always be happy to receive its nationals back home. This is their country. This is their home. 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. God bless Zimbabwe,” he said.nge.
