Government steps up Zimbabwean repatriation from South Africa as more buses deployed
The Zimbabwean government says it has intensified its repatriation programme for citizens returning from South Africa, deploying more buses from Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Johannesburg and Durban while assuring returnees that the operation is being fully funded.
The latest update, issued by the Department of Presidential Communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet on 30 June 2026, said more buses had been dispatched as authorities continued processing Zimbabweans who had volunteered to return home. Officials also said embassy personnel had been reassigned to speed up the exercise.
Zimbabwe repatriation programme expands across South Africa
According to the Department of Presidential Communications, the latest deployment of buses is as follows:
- Cape Town
- 3 buses have left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post.
- 2 buses have travelled to Johannesburg to speed up the processing of returnees before continuing to Beitbridge.
- Around 1,000 Zimbabweans remain at the Epping Repatriation Centre and will be transported home once processing is complete.
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- 2 buses are travelling from Gqeberha to the Beitbridge Border Post.
- Johannesburg
- 11 buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery, where about 600 Zimbabweans are being processed before departure.
- 5 additional buses are stationed at Power House, where another 300 Zimbabweans are awaiting processing.
- Durban and other areas
- 12 buses departed Johannesburg on Monday night after collecting returnees from various departure points, including Durban, and are travelling towards the Beitbridge/Musina border posts.
Government says repatriation operation is fully funded
The department said the relocation programme was entirely financed by the Zimbabwean government.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has availed all buses on which Zimbabwean returnees are travelling,” the statement said.
It added that embassy and consular staff had been redeployed to facilitate the operation, while spouses of embassy officials had volunteered to assist.
The government also thanked United Nations agencies for supporting the evacuation process and said cooperation with the South African government remained “excellent and empathetic”.
Returning Zimbabweans promised reintegration support
The government said it remained ready to assist all Zimbabweans wishing to return home voluntarily.
It also assured returning citizens they would receive support as they reintegrated into their respective communities in Zimbabwe.
Tuesday’s update follows earlier government briefings on the repatriation programme as authorities continue coordinating transport and processing from multiple centres across South Africa.
The latest figures indicate that processing and transportation remain ongoing, with additional buses positioned to move more Zimbabweans as documentation is completed. Authorities say the programme will continue for citizens who voluntarily choose to return home.
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