Nearly 100,000 Zimbabweans repatriated from South Africa since May, government says
The Zimbabwean government has repatriated nearly 100,000 citizens from South Africa between May and July 2026. The operation, supported by international partners, has provided medical care to over 191,000 patients, with a focus on women and children.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing humanitarian and logistical challenges of mass migration and regional reintegration in Southern Africa.
THE government says it has repatriated 99,418 citizens from South Africa in just over six weeks, with women and children accounting for more than 70% of those who have returned.
The update comes as Zimbabwe continues receiving thousands of returning nationals through the Beitbridge Border Post following migration-related developments in neighbouring South Africa.
Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Soda Zhemu said the repatriation exercise had been undertaken through a coordinated government and development partners’ response between May and July.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee and Development Partners facilitated the return of 99,418 citizens between 28 May and 10 July, 2026.
“More than 70% of the returnees are women and children,” Zhemu said.
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