South Africa and Zimbabwe sign bilateral cooperation agreements

South Africa and Zimbabwe have signed several bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. These agreements were finalized in Pretoria during the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission, co-chaired by Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

A key component of the new arrangements is a prisoner transfer agreement signed by South African Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald and Zimbabwean Minister of Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi. This framework allows eligible sentenced offenders to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries. The move aims to address overcrowding in South African correctional facilities, which held over 173,000 inmates as of August 2026, including more than 30,000 foreign nationals. Zimbabweans constitute the largest group of foreign inmates in South Africa.

Beyond correctional services, the expanded partnership includes cooperation in agriculture, trade, investment, diplomacy, gender equality, and arts and culture. The nations aim to foster economic integration and create practical opportunities for businesses and investors to support regional growth.