HARARE – Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has urged Zimbabweans returning from South Africa to accept that their future now lies back home, declaring that “there is no more South Africa” for those fleeing the wave of anti-foreigner violence.
By Advent Shoko
His remarks come as thousands of Zimbabweans continue streaming back into the country following attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, where some locals accuse migrants of taking jobs and contributing to crime.
In a strongly worded statement, Charamba said returnees should stop viewing their stay in Zimbabwe as temporary and instead focus on rebuilding their lives permanently.
“NO MORE SOUTH AFRICA!!! … All returnees must know that their sojourn in SA is over. For good!! … Think home; live home. You can’t leave home anymore!!! Hativakei nyika yedu zvariini nariini!!!”
He added that the reported five-year restrictions facing some returnees should be seen as a signal to fully reintegrate into Zimbabwe.
“The five-year ban on you is a euphemism; the ban is total and the sooner you know that, the faster you re-integrate and settle.”
Charamba described the unfolding crisis as a major turning point in relations between neighbouring countries, arguing that recent events have exposed growing strains on regional integration and the ideals of Pan-African solidarity.
“South Africa is a turning point in inter-state, inter-people relations. Borders have been retraced and etched deeper… This is a re-birth of the Nation-State… The Pan-African Project… has been shaken.”
Despite acknowledging the painful circumstances under which many Zimbabweans are returning, he ended his message with a call for citizens to rebuild the country together.
“So bro, welcome home!! Mauya, mauya Komrade. Hamuchadzoka!!!!! Handeyi kunorima… Hondo yapera.”
Nearly 59,000 Zimbabweans Back Home
According to the latest government update released on 2 July 2026, 11,065 Zimbabweans have been repatriated through government-facilitated transport, while 47,703 returned on their own.
That brings the total number of Zimbabweans who have returned from South Africa to 58,768.
Zimbabwe’s Embassy and Consulates in South Africa continue coordinating the movement of stranded nationals from cities including Cape Town and Durban to the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre, where they await transport across the border.
Authorities said around 600 Zimbabweans were still being processed at the Epping Repatriation Centre before transfer to Musina.
The repatriation programme has received support from government, private organisations and humanitarian partners.
Buses have been provided by government alongside donations from businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s Bridging Gaps Foundation, E. Mupfumi and P. Tungwarara to transport returnees across Zimbabwe.
Two ambulances donated by the Higherlife Foundation and Life Foundation have also been deployed to the Beitbridge Reception Centre.
Additional assistance has come from the World Food Programme, UNICEF, No-One Sleeps Hungry, Life Foundation, the City of Cape Town, and the Adventist Relief and Development Agency (ADRA), which have provided buses, food, blankets, temporary shelters and child-friendly facilities to support displaced Zimbabweans.
As Zimbabwe continues receiving thousands of returnees, the challenge now shifts from repatriation to long-term reintegration, with authorities urging those coming home to build new lives rather than expecting to return to South Africa anytime soon.
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