Zimbabwe Schools directed to enrol children returning from South Africa

The Government has directed schools across Zimbabwe to immediately enrol children returning from South Africa, declaring that no child should be denied access to education as families affected by growing anti-immigration tensions in the neighbouring country begin returning home.

The directive comes amid uncertainty in South Africa following the June 30 deadline set by anti-immigration groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

Zimbabwean authorities say they have been preparing for the possible influx of returnees through a range of reintegration measures, including ensuring school placements for children, extending customs duty concessions and coordinating support across government departments.

Speaking on Monday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had instructed all schools to accommodate returning learners within their catchment areas.

"His Excellency President Mnangagwa has issued a clear and compassionate directive regarding the children of returnees. All schools across Zimbabwe have been instructed to make every effort to absorb children of returnees who need access to education facilities within their catchment areas," said Soda.

He said the measure was aimed at ensuring children's education is not disrupted by their families' return to Zimbabwe.

"No child shall be turned away. Every returning child deserves the opportunity to continue their learning and build a future in their homeland," he said.

Soda said the Government remained committed to assisting Zimbabweans returning from South Africa regardless of the circumstances surrounding their return.

"Zimbabwe will always be happy to receive its nationals back home. This is their country. This is their home. No matter where life has taken them, no matter the circumstances that bring them back, they will always find open arms and a warm welcome on Zimbabwean soil," he said.

Beyond education, the Government has also introduced measures intended to ease the resettlement of returning citizens.

Soda announced that the Treasury had extended customs concessions previously available to holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) to qualifying returnees.

Under the arrangement, eligible Zimbabweans will be allowed to import one motor vehicle free of customs duty, although Value Added Tax (VAT) will still be payable. He said the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) had been instructed to apply flexible vehicle valuation methods to reduce the tax burden on returnees.

In addition, no import permit will be required for vehicles older than 10 years, provided they were purchased before the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit on December 31, 2022.

The concessions also extend to household goods and commercial equipment previously used by returnees in their businesses.

"For personal property and equipment of a commercial nature, a rebate of duty will apply to personal and household property, as well as property of a commercial nature that returnees were using in their businesses," said Soda.

"This exempted property must also have been purchased prior to 31 December 2022. We have further ensured flexibility with respect to arrival times to accord all returning residents ample time to clear their goods."

However, he said the facility would not apply to newly acquired goods and would be subject to verification to prevent abuse.

"We must clarify that the facility does not extend to new items and is subject to evaluation to prevent abuse, ensuring that only deserving returning citizens who have been displaced under these difficult circumstances are assisted," he said.

The announcement comes as anti-immigration groups in South Africa continue to campaign for stricter enforcement against undocumented foreign nationals.

The groups, which declared June 30 as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, argue that illegal immigration contributes to unemployment, places pressure on public services and fuels crime. They have also threatened nationwide action should the South African government fail to strengthen immigration enforcement.

The campaign has heightened anxiety among migrant communities, with reports indicating that some foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, have chosen to return to their home countries amid fears that the protests could escalate. Cross-border transport operators have also reported an increase in the number of Zimbabweans travelling back home over the past two weeks, alongside a sharp decline in outbound travel to South Africa.