Zimbabwe says more than 60,000 of its citizens have returned from South Africa following the 30 June nationwide protests linked to the March and March movement and growing concern about immigration enforcement. The figures include people repatriated through government-supported processes and others who returned independently.
The returns follow demonstrations in Gauteng and other provinces, where March and March called for stronger enforcement of immigration laws. While organisers have said their campaign is focused on legal compliance rather than nationality or race, the protests have coincided with reports of fear, displacement and violence affecting some foreign-national communities.
Zimbabwean authorities said 11,065 citizens had been repatriated through inter-governmental cooperation, while 47,703 returned voluntarily. Together, the figures amount to 58,768 people, with officials describing the total as more than 60,000 returnees as movements continue.
Zimbabwe Calls for Compassion for Returnees
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on communities to welcome returning citizens and said government programmes are in place to support their reintegration.
“I appeal to all families and communities to exercise the true African values of compassion, love and caring for one another,” Mnangagwa said, referring to people returning from the diaspora.
He said the Zimbabwean government would work to ensure the “seamless, safe and dignified reintegration” of returnees.
Zimbabwean officials have also highlighted the skills that some returnees may bring back into the country. Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet George Charamba said people returning from South Africa could contribute experience in sectors including horticulture.
The return process has placed pressure on transport, border and support systems in both South Africa and neighbouring countries, as people seek documentation assistance, transport and safe passage home.
Repatriation Centre Set Up Near Beitbridge Border Post
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure established a temporary repatriation facility near the Beitbridge border post to process people leaving the country.
The centre includes processing, rest and loading areas. Authorities said it was created to manage departures in an orderly way while allowing law-enforcement agencies to conduct checks where required.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the purpose of the facility was to support the dignified movement of migrants travelling out of South Africa.
Home Affairs officials have said the operation involves police, health personnel, embassies, non-governmental organisations and humanitarian groups. The site is also being used to process people from other countries in the region, including Malawi and Mozambique.
Officials said the facility can accommodate about 20,000 people. Limpopo Home Affairs provincial head Albert Matsaung said police conduct checks during processing so that people with outstanding criminal cases can be identified.
March and March Protests Put Immigration Enforcement in Focus
The 30 June protests brought immigration enforcement back into the national spotlight. March and March, one of the groups associated with the demonstrations, has said it wants government departments and municipalities to apply immigration laws, trading rules and business-permit requirements consistently.
The movement has rejected allegations that its campaign targets people based on race or nationality. It has said its demands include audits of visas, asylum permits, trading licences and municipal compliance across all foreign-national communities.
However, the protests have also raised concerns among civil-society groups and foreign-national communities about the risk of intimidation, discrimination and violence. In Gauteng, police monitored marches in Johannesburg and other areas, while separate incidents after the main demonstrations led to arrests and investigations.
South African law places immigration enforcement in the hands of state authorities, including the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the Border Management Authority and municipalities. Individuals and protest groups do not have authority to conduct raids, evictions, assaults or intimidation against people they suspect are undocumented.
Reports of Violence and Displacement Raise Concerns
The returns have taken place alongside reports of attacks, threats and property damage involving foreign nationals in some communities.
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo said his government was preparing transport and support arrangements for Mozambican citizens returning from South Africa. He also referred to Mozambicans who were assisted after reportedly losing homes during incidents in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
The reported incidents have increased pressure on law-enforcement agencies to investigate criminal conduct and ensure residents are protected regardless of nationality or immigration status.
Authorities have not linked every return to a single cause. Some people may have returned voluntarily for personal, economic or documentation-related reasons. However, the scale of the reported movement has drawn attention to the effect that public tension and uncertainty can have on migrant communities.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Gauteng remains central to South Africa’s immigration debate because it is home to large migrant communities and is a major destination for employment, education, trade and transport.
The reported return of thousands of Zimbabweans shows how national immigration debates can affect households, workplaces, schools, local businesses and public services in the province.
For residents, the immediate issue is whether government can respond to concerns about undocumented immigration, border management and business compliance through lawful and consistent enforcement. It also raises questions about whether police and local authorities can prevent violence, intimidation and damage to property during future demonstrations.
The developments may also affect businesses and communities that rely on cross-border workers, suppliers and customers. Government departments are expected to face further scrutiny over the speed, transparency and fairness of immigration enforcement processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Zimbabweans have reportedly returned from South Africa?
Zimbabwean authorities said 11,065 people were repatriated through inter-governmental cooperation and 47,703 returned independently, bringing the reported total to 58,768.
What were the 30 June March and March protests about?
March and March said the demonstrations called for stronger enforcement of immigration laws, visas, trading licences and municipal bylaws. The movement has said its campaign is not based on race or nationality.
Where is the repatriation facility located?
A temporary repatriation facility has been established near the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Are protest groups allowed to enforce immigration laws?
No. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of government authorities, including Home Affairs, SAPS, the Border Management Authority and municipalities.
What is happening in Gauteng?
Gauteng hosted several 30 June demonstrations. Police have continued monitoring public safety and investigating reported incidents of violence and intimidation connected to the period of protest.
What Happens Next
South African and neighbouring governments are expected to continue coordinating border processing and return arrangements as people leave the country. In Gauteng, authorities will face continued pressure to address immigration compliance through lawful enforcement while protecting people and property from violence, intimidation and unlawful action.
