Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
CHILDREN are bearing the brunt of ongoing anti-migrant tensions in South Africa as thousands of Zimbabweans continue to return home, some on their own and others with Government assistance.
Figures from the local Civil Protection Committee show that at least 3 013 children had returned from South Africa as of June 28, 2026. They arrived between May 28 and June.28. Seven of the children arrived unaccompanied.
The same period also saw 1 313 men and 2 165 women evacuated through State assistance from South Africa.
According to the report, most of the returnees came from the Cape provinces and KwaZulu-Natal, while a sizable number also came from Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo provinces.
Officials say children face the most disruption. Many left school abruptly. Some left clothes, books, and toys behind. Parents say they had to choose safety over property.
As of Tuesday, more Zimbabweans were still arriving through the Beitbridge Border Post from various facilitation centres in South Africa.
The Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa and local security personnel are processing their evacuations. The numbers continue to rise daily.
Beitbridge is the only official land border with South Africa, and it has become the main entry point for returnees.
The Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda, and the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo held a joint media briefing on Monday where they highlighted that the Government was committed to the safe and dignified return of Zimbabweans from South Africa.
Minister Soda said an interministerial team is at Beitbridge and was leading the border clearance processes at the same time giving immediate support to returnees.
He said President Mnangagwa had directed resources for the exercise and that the goal was for all Zimbabweans who want to come home to do so safely and with dignity.
