Five things that happen when Zimbabweans return from South Africa
· The South African
More than 115 000 Zimbabweans have returned home from South Africa since the repatriation exercise began in May 2026, according to figures released by Zimbabwean authorities.
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The returns have taken place amid anti-immigrant protests, attacks and a crackdown on undocumented migration.
The figure includes Zimbabweans who returned through Government-assisted arrangements as well as those who made their own way home.
The scale of the movement has created a major challenge for Zimbabwe, with authorities now focusing not only on getting citizens home but also on helping them settle back into communities.
So, what happens to Zimbabweans when they return from South Africa?
Here are five things to know.
1. Returnees are transported to Zimbabwe
For those using assisted repatriation arrangements, the journey home begins with registration and transport from South Africa.
Zimbabwean officials have been working with South African authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate the movement of citizens through border points, with Beitbridge serving as a major entry point.
The Government has also arranged transport for returnees once they cross into Zimbabwe.
In some areas, buses have been used to take returnees from Beitbridge and other arrival points towards their home districts.
Authorities have also established holding centres to assist people who require urgent support after arriving in the country.
2. They can receive basic assistance after arrival
Returning home does not necessarily mean that a person immediately has somewhere to stay, money or access to essential services.
Some Zimbabweans left South Africa suddenly after losing accommodation, employment or belongings.
The Government and humanitarian organisations have therefore been providing assistance to vulnerable returnees, including transport and medical support.
The humanitarian situation has been particularly concerning for people who left South Africa without medication or medical records.
The Associated Press reported that aid groups had raised concerns about interruptions to treatment for people with chronic conditions, including HIV, after they returned to Zimbabwe.
This means the repatriation process is about more than simply crossing the border.
3. Their skills can be registered for opportunities in Zimbabwe
One of the biggest questions facing Zimbabwe is what happens to people who have spent years working in South Africa.
Many returnees have acquired skills and experience in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, hospitality and other trades.
Zimbabwe has responded by creating a system to identify and register the skills of returning citizens.
By July, the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development said it had registered 15 000 skilled Zimbabweans who had returned home, mainly from South Africa.
The Government has presented the initiative as a way of connecting returnees’ skills and experience with opportunities in Zimbabwe.
More recently, Government figures indicated that 38 057 returnees had registered through the Skills Registration Process, showing that the programme has continued to expand as more Zimbabweans arrive home.
4. Some returnees can be connected to employment opportunities
Returning from South Africa does not automatically mean that a person will receive a job.
However, the skills-registration programme is intended to help Government identify people who could contribute to Zimbabwe’s economy.
There have already been efforts by private companies to recruit returning Zimbabweans.
For example, a Harare-based construction company advertised employment opportunities specifically targeting Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The challenge is significant because many returnees had established their livelihoods in South Africa and now have to find ways of earning an income back home.
The success of the reintegration programme will therefore depend heavily on whether returnees can translate their skills and experience into sustainable employment or business opportunities.
5. They are expected to rebuild their lives in Zimbabwe
The final stage is perhaps the most difficult: settling back into life in Zimbabwe.
For some returnees, this means going back to their rural homes or reconnecting with relatives.
For others, it means finding accommodation, enrolling children in schools, looking for work or starting a business.
The Zimbabwean Government has said its approach is not simply to bring citizens home but to support their reintegration.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed authorities to ensure that returning citizens are welcomed with dignity and supported through programmes designed to help them contribute to the local economy.
The scale of the return movement means that this process could take months.