The Zimbabwean government has announced that 99,418 of its citizens returned from South Africa over a period of approximately six weeks, with the majority entering through the Beitbridge Border Post. The returns coincide with the South African government’s decision to discontinue the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), which had provided legal status to many Zimbabweans living in the country.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa provided the figures during a recent post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare. According to the data released, women and children accounted for more than 70% of the individuals who have been repatriated.
The movement of people follows policy changes in South Africa concerning the ZEP program. The South African government announced in 2021 that it would not renew the permits, which granted approximately 178,000 Zimbabweans the right to live, work, and study in South Africa.
The ZEP system was introduced more than a decade ago to regularize the status of Zimbabweans who had entered South Africa, many without formal authorization. The permits have been extended several times over the years.
Following the decision not to renew the program, ZEP holders were given a grace period to either apply for other eligible visas or leave the country. The deadline has been subject to multiple extensions by South African authorities, with legal challenges filed by groups representing permit holders. The most recent extension provided by the South African government gives ZEP holders until November 2025 to secure alternative visas.
Zimbabwean officials have stated that reception centers have been established at the border to process the returning citizens. Reports from the border indicate that international aid organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are assisting with humanitarian support. This support includes providing transportation, food, and basic medical screenings for those returning.
The South African Department of Home Affairs has previously stated that the decision to end the ZEP program is part of a broader review of its immigration policies and special permit systems. The department has encouraged affected Zimbabwean nationals to apply for other visas for which they may qualify under the country’s immigration laws.
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