Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
MORE than 108 000 Zimbabweans have returned from South Africa as the Government continues to facilitate the safe repatriation and reintegration of citizens affected by disturbances in the neighbouring country.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the repatriation programme was progressing steadily with support from the Government and its partners.
“As at July 18, 2026, a total of 33 855 returnees had been repatriated through Government arrangements, while an estimated 74 511 had self-repatriated, bringing the total number of returnees to more than 108 000,” he said.
Dr Soda said an additional 791 self-repatriations had been recorded through Botswana entry points, namely Plumtree, Mphoengs, Maitengwe and Mlambapele.
To facilitate the movement of returnees, Government has undertaken 416 bus trips from the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre to various destinations across the country.
Dr Soda said health services remained available at reception centres, with the Beitbridge Reception Centre Clinic providing comprehensive medical care to returning citizens.
“The Beitbridge Reception Centre Clinic continues to provide comprehensive healthcare, having attended to 1 474 returnees for various medical needs,” he said.
Dr Soda added that Government had also observed that Harare Metropolitan Province had received the highest number of returnees, followed by Manicaland, Midlands and Bulawayo provinces.
To support long-term reintegration, Government has adopted a three-pronged approach focusing on social, economic and cultural reintegration.
As part of the programme, authorities are conducting a nationwide skills registration exercise to match returnees with livelihood opportunities.
“A total of 15 065 returnees have so far been registered across 52 identified occupations, with the majority possessing skills in domestic work, bricklaying and farming,” said Dr Soda.
Addressing questions from the media, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said Government was not working towards a predetermined number of returnees, but was instead ensuring that adequate systems were in place to receive any Zimbabwean wishing to return home.
“We have about two million Zimbabweans in the Republic of South Africa, with approximately 1.5 million documented and an estimated 500 000 without documentation.
“Government is not working on a specific figure of Zimbabweans coming back home. It is working on a structure to receive Zimbabweans who wish to come back home given the disturbances taking place in South Africa,” he said.
Minister Garwe said health services at the Beitbridge reception centre had been strengthened to ensure that returnees received prompt medical attention.
“The Ministry of Health has established a fully capacitated clinic managed by a medical doctor and other health personnel. Those with chronic illnesses who return without medication are receiving treatment at the clinic.
“We have not recorded cholera or any life-threatening diseases. Similar health facilities have also been activated at Plumtree and other border posts, as well as at reception centres across provinces and districts,” he said.
Minister Garwe added that Government security agencies continued to strengthen screening and surveillance measures at all ports of entry to safeguard public health and national security as the repatriation exercise continues.
