Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Government has evacuated 696 Zimbabweans from South Africa since the beginning of June, with support from partners including the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The assisted voluntary repatriation programme comes amid an upsurge in xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants across most of South Africa’s provinces.
Deputy Chief Secretary responsible for Presidential Communications, Mr George Charamba, confirmed the latest developments via his X account on Tuesday. He also commended the partners who have been working with the Government for their continued support.
Among those repatriated as of June 15 are 405 adults and 291 accompanied children, whose parents were displaced mainly in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng provinces. The parents are voluntarily returning home as anti-migrant protests escalate violently in some instances.
“(The) Zimbabwe Government has facilitated the return of 600 Zimbabweans so far. Many more on the way. Many thanks to partners, including IOM and UNICEF,” said Mr Charamba on his X account.
Most of those repatriated are arriving through the Beitbridge border post in Government-hired buses.
The country’s embassy in South Africa has since deployed teams across the country to assist Zimbabwean nationals distressed by the ongoing violence.
The past month has been a difficult period for immigrants—both documented and undocumented—living and working in South Africa, where xenophobic attacks are reportedly intensifying. Most contribute actively to South Africa’s economy, yet many now say integration and coexistence remain elusive.
The embassy has also issued a safety advisory urging Zimbabweans in South Africa to avoid areas of unrest, carry identification at all times, and report threats to the police or the nearest diplomatic mission.
Repatriation efforts are continuing, with work underway to assist more citizens who are in distress across South Africa.
IOM Zimbabwe spokesperson Mrs Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti said the organisation is working closely with national authorities and partners to monitor the situation and adapt assistance in line with emerging needs.
“In line with evolving operational needs, the organisation has scaled up support at Beitbridge to include meal assistance and onward transport to inland destinations across Zimbabwe, ensuring that returnees are able to continue their journeys safely to their communities of origin,” she said.
“This includes facilitating transport to destinations such as Harare, Gweru, and Mutare, while also providing meal assistance to address immediate needs during transit. These extended services complement ongoing support provided at points of entry and are part of a broader, coordinated response led by the Government of Zimbabwe, with IOM strengthening systems, enhancing screening and referral mechanisms, and supporting access to protection services where needed.”
She said their main focus was on ensuring that all returnees receive appropriate support upon arrival and during onward movement to their communities.
Mrs Nyamande-Pangeti noted that recent return movements, including Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR), are occurring in a dynamic and evolving context, with multiple drivers influencing migration decisions. While some returns are linked to safety concerns, she added, movements remain mixed and multi-causal, requiring a flexible and coordinated response.
Upon arrival at Beitbridge, returnees are supported through established reception processes led by national authorities.
