More than 60,000 Zimbabweans return as anti-immigrant pressure in South Africa grows

More than 60,000 Zimbabweans have returned from South Africa after an intensifying anti-illegal immigration movement and a citizen-led deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, official figures show.

Who returned and how

Government figures break down the movements into two groups: 11,065 people were repatriated through inter-governmental arrangements, while 47,703 returned of their own accord, bringing the combined total to more than 60,000. Of those repatriated by the South African and Zimbabwean governments, 2,449 were adult men, 2,407 were adult females and 4,955 were minors.

What drove the departures

Citizen-led groups in South Africa set Tuesday 30 as a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave and called for nationwide marches against illegal immigration. Those calls came amid a wider wave of protests that have at times turned violent and raised fears of xenophobic attacks, factors cited as driving people to depart.

Government response in Zimbabwe

President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcomed returnees and urged communities to show compassion. He said the government has put programmes in place to ensure a seamless, safe and dignified reintegration.

Deputy chief secretary George Charamba told The Sunday Mail that returnees bring skills, naming the horticulture industry as an example, and suggested those skills are needed to help Zimbabwe meet export quotas. He said returnees are coming back to a changed country with economic growth and new opportunities.

Processing at the border and wider regional movements

A temporary repatriation facility just outside the Beitbridge border post was established by the South African Department of Home Affairs to serve as a primary processing centre for Africans leaving South Africa. Officials described the facility as including processing, resting and loading areas, and said it is staffed by the South African Police Service, health department personnel, and supported by NGOs including Gift of the Givers.

Officials reported that the facility had taken in 6,000 people and that it can hold about 20,000. Authorities also said thousands of immigrants from Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe remain to be processed for repatriation.

Regional implications

Observers and officials have raised several potential impacts: disruptions to South African businesses that rely on migrant labour; the need for reintegration support and economic programmes in Zimbabwe; and increased scrutiny on bilateral relations and border management as neighbouring governments organise returns.

Repatriation is ongoing, according to officials.

Editor note exact edits made

This draft was revised to align wording with source material as requested. Edits made:

• Replaced every instance of “About 58,768 Zimbabweans” or “about 58,768” with the source wording “more than 60,000“.
• Changed the date phrasing “Tuesday the 30th” to the source wording “Tuesday 30“.
• Removed the sentence stating a specific recent timeframe and replaced it with the neutral line: “Repatriation is ongoing, according to officials.“
• Reviewed the article for other specific numbers, dates or timeframes and left factual figures that appeared in the original source material unchanged, while ensuring qualifying language such as “officials said” or “authorities also said” remains where applicable.