Injiva wreaks havoc in Matebeleland South

For 17-year-old Stella Ncube* from Ngwana village in Bulilima district, a dream of becoming a nurse has been shattered. Her hopes ended during the last school holidays when she fell pregnant after a relationship with a Zimbabwean man living in South Africa, commonly referred to locally as injiva. Promises of support for her education evaporated when the man returned to South Africa, leaving her alone, emotionally overwhelmed, and ultimately suffering a stillbirth.

Stella's story mirrors a troubling pattern across Matebeleland South, where the return of injiva during the festive season is linked to a spike in teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and rising HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data from the second quarter of 2025 show that 115 female learners in the province dropped out of school, 66 of them due to teenage pregnancies, while other causes included illness, child marriages, and financial hardship.

Community leaders and health officials warn that the festive homecoming of injiva—often perceived as wealthy due to their South African earnings—entices young girls with cash, gifts, and alcohol. Village head Cosmas Moyo from Mutsuli noted, "Every festive season we see the same thing—our girls fall pregnant, some get infected with HIV, and by January households are already battling the consequences. Injiva do not stay; they vanish back to South Africa, leaving families to pick up the pieces."

Economic hardship further fuels the vulnerability of young girls. Lindiwe*, a 17-year-old from Matobo district, recounted how her injiva partner promised marriage and provided money for groceries, only to disappear after she became pregnant. Her mother regretted allowing the relationship due to the family's economic pressures, noting that many girls make desperate choices under these circumstances.

The health implications are severe. Matebeleland South continues to report some of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Zimbabwe, particularly among girls aged 15 to 24. Ronald Hanyane, Bulilima district AIDS coordinator, said clinic data reveal a significant rise in STI and HIV infections between December and February, coinciding with the festive return of injiva. Cross-border mobility increases exposure to high-risk sexual networks, heightening the risk of infection.

School officials confirm the educational fallout, with many bright female learners failing to return after the holidays. A deputy head from Mangwe observed, "By January, some are pregnant, others have eloped, and some disappear altogether when their injiva partners take them across the border. These girls rarely complete their education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability."

Gender inequality and social vulnerabilities compound the crisis. Lorraine Ndlovu, a Gwanda-based girls' rights activist, emphasised that the problem is multi-layered: "It is gender inequality, poverty, and the power imbalance in relationships between injiva and local girls. Some girls suffer emotional abuse, coercion, or are abandoned with babies without any financial support."

In response, the National AIDS Council (NAC) has implemented programmes targeting adolescent girls and young women, such as Sista2Sista, offering counselling, mentorship, sexual and reproductive health education, psychosocial support, and safe spaces. Stella Ncube, who is now receiving support through the programme, said, "Sista2Sista is helping me heal. For the first time, I feel like my life can still move forward."

Additional challenges arise from artisanal mining activities, which contribute to risky sexual behavior and STI transmission in areas like Maphisa growth point and St Joseph shopping centre. Matobo district AIDS coordinator Lawrence Ncube highlighted the issue, noting that many injiva and miners refuse to use condoms, falsely associating them with marriage or trust.

NAC's provincial manager, McGini Sibanda, said the "Not in My Village" campaign, led by traditional leaders, aims to address child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and drug abuse, yet the underlying causes—poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity—remain entrenched.

As communities prepare for another festive season, the dread is palpable. The return of injiva brings economic relief and celebration for some, but for young girls in Matebeleland South, it also heralds disruption, exploitation, and long-term consequences that extend far beyond the holiday period.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

*Not real name