Zimbabwe Plans Voluntary Return of 1.4 Million Nationals from South Africa

The Zimbabwean government is coordinating a voluntary repatriation of around 1.4 million citizens currently in South Africa, scheduled for July 2026. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira said South Africa has not set any deadline for Zimbabweans to leave and that rumours of forced departures are unfounded. Bulawayo police warned that the large influx could trigger a rise in violent crime, adding social tension as the return process proceeds.