Online Reporter
Africa Moyo-Deputy News Editor
GOVERNMENT and its partners are scaling up support for citizens returning from South Africa, as thousands continue to flee Afrophobic attacks, with additional transport, food assistance and temporary shelter being provided to ensure a smooth and humane repatriation process.
As of Thursday, 58 768 Zimbabweans had returned home, comprising 11 065 who were assisted through Government-facilitated repatriation and 47 703 who returned independently.
Posting on his X account last night, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr George Charamba, said extensive measures had been put in place to support affected citizens and guarantee their safe return.
“The cumulative total of returnees facilitated by the Government of Zimbabwe stood at 11 065. The cumulative total of self-repatriations stood at 47 703,” he said.
“The grand total of Zimbabweans who have come back home thus stood at 58 768 as of July 2, 2026.”
Mr Charamba added that Zimbabwe’s embassy and consulates in South Africa were co-ordinating the movement of returnees from various centres across the neighbouring country to the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre, including from Cape Town and Durban.
Humanitarian assistance is also being provided to vulnerable citizens awaiting processing and transportation, he said.
“They are also providing food, toiletries and buses to those in need, as well as organising temporary shelter for Zimbabweans awaiting clearance by the host country.
“About 600 Zimbabweans were being processed at the Epping Repatriation Centre pending their transfer to Musina,” he said.
Government-hired buses, supplemented by donations from private-sector partners and philanthropists, have significantly boosted transportation capacity.
Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s Bridging Gaps Foundation has provided 11 buses, while six have come from Cde Paul Tungwarara.
Cde Esau Mupfumi has also contributed buses.
The buses continue to facilitate the repatriation exercise, said Mr Charamba.
To cater for emergency medical needs, two ambulances donated through charitable organisations — one from the Higherlife Foundation and one from the Life Foundation — have been deployed at the Beitbridge Reception Centre.
Mr Charamba said additional support had come from development partners and humanitarian organisations such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, No-One Sleeps Hungry and the Life Foundation in the form of foodstuffs, blankets, child-friendly play centres and other amenities.
He added that local authorities and relief agencies in South Africa were also assisting with transport logistics.
“The City of Cape Town has supported the Zimbabwe Consulate in that city with 16 buses, which transported returnees to Musina on July 1, 2026. The Adventist Relief and Development Agency (ADRA) donated eight buses for use in Cape Town,” said Mr Charamba.
Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all returning Zimbabweans are received in a dignified manner and assisted to reunite with their families and communities.
Government must step up the message to encourage people to come back home. Very few are heeding the call to come back home. The majority are staying put hoping that the situation will improve and they can then continue to live in South Africa normally. People should be advised that if they remain in South Africa illegally, life is going to be horrible. This is their chance to come back home while still on their two feet. Things will be deadly in the near future.