Anti-immigrant groups often blame foreigners for problems such as unemployment, crime, and strain on public services.
On Tuesday, the Zimbabwean government reported that nearly 200,000 Zimbabweans have returned to their country in recent months due to the rise in xenophobic incidents in South Africa.
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Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government Daniel Garwe stated that as of October 6, 197,294 nationals had returned since repatriation operations began in late May. He added that 42,553 people returned through government-sponsored programs, while another 154,741 returned on their own through various border crossings.
Among those repatriated are also 700 Zimbabweans who were being held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in South Africa, some of whom will have to complete their sentences in Zimbabwe.
Garwe explained that the process involves security agencies managing the return of deportees who were facing legal proceedings or serving sentences in South Africa.
Thousands of Zimbabweans are returning home after xenophobic violence in South Africa, describing beatings, robbery and threats from anti-migrant groups.
Nearly 21,300 have been repatriated by the government in five weeks, with 56,800 more self-repatriating. pic.twitter.com/dHYP2LZmtB
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 11, 2026
The Zimbabwean government also reported that it provided assistance to more than 87,000 Malawian citizens who crossed the country during their return from South Africa to their homeland.
Xenophobic tensions are a recurring problem in South Africa and have repeatedly led to episodes of violence. Anti-immigrant groups often blame foreigners for problems such as unemployment, crime, and strain on public services, which has resulted in threats, protests, and acts of exclusion.
Official data from several African governments indicate that more than 260,000 citizens from countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been repatriated in recent months due to this wave of xenophobia.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Africa: In Norton, Zimbabwe, women’s soccer teams competed to promote, raise awareness, and support the funding of vaccination campaigns against the human papillomavirus (HPV) with their profits. pic.twitter.com/XrR3eq1QoZ
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) February 5, 2026
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Source: EFE
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