The Government has facilitated the repatriation of 99 418 Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa between May 28 and July 10, 2026, with more than 70 000 women and children among those assisted, as authorities expand humanitarian and reintegration programmes in response to the growing number of returnees.
Presenting a Cabinet update on behalf of Government, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe said the repatriation exercise had been coordinated through the Inter-Ministerial Committee, working alongside development partners to ensure returning citizens receive transport, humanitarian assistance and reintegration support.
Garwe said the number of Zimbabweans requiring repatriation and reintegration assistance had continued to rise, prompting Government to strengthen interventions at the country's main entry points, particularly the Beitbridge Border Post.
He said Government also acknowledged the contribution of the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, who visited the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre on July 7 and donated humanitarian supplies to support returning citizens.
The donation comprised 30 tonnes of rice, 20 tonnes of mealie-meal, more than 5 000 tracksuits, 1 500 diapers and 1 500 sanitary wear packs, which Garwe said had significantly boosted ongoing relief efforts.
He said Government appreciated the continued support of citizens, humanitarian organisations and development partners in helping returnees reintegrate into their communities.
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Garwe added that nationals from Malawi and Zambia arriving through Beitbridge were also receiving assistance through their respective embassies, while arrangements had been made to support other foreign nationals facing difficulties as they transited through Zimbabwe to their home countries.
To manage the increased movement across the border, Garwe said the Border Management Committee, comprising the Department of Immigration, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and Zimbabwe Borders, had intensified measures to improve the processing of returnees.
He said authorities were also expediting the clearance of buses and trucks transporting returnees to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic through the country's busiest border post.
Garwe said the Ministry of Health and Child Care, working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Higherlife Foundation, continued to provide essential health services at the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre.
He said more than 191 000 patients had received medical care, 870 children had been screened for malnutrition, while 15 cases of diarrhoea had been detected and successfully treated.
Garwe said Government would continue strengthening assistance programmes to ensure the safe reintegration of returning Zimbabweans, while security agencies remained on high alert against illegal crossings through undesignated entry points, particularly around Beitbridge and Plumtree.
The large-scale repatriation programme comes amid a surge in the number of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, placing increased pressure on humanitarian, health and border management services as authorities seek to manage the influx while maintaining orderly migration processes.
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