Chivayo pledges US$1 million for repatriation of Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa

Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo says he has pledged US$1 million towards the repatriation of Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa, following what he described as an instruction from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.


In a lengthy statement released on Sunday, Chivayo said he met President Mnangagwa after concluding business engagements in Dubai, where the two reportedly discussed the plight of Zimbabweans camped at the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa amid rising tensions and displacement affecting foreign nationals.

“His Excellency expressed his deepest concern over the plight of Zimbabwean citizens who remain stranded in the Republic of South Africa, particularly the multitudes camped at the Zimbabwean Embassy,” Chivayo said.

“Being the father to all Zimbabweans that he is irrespective of where they may be, President Mnangagwa spoke with deep empathy and genuine compassion about the pain and hardship many of our fellow citizens are presently enduring,” he added.

Chivayo claimed the President directed him to urgently mobilise resources to support repatriation efforts.

“In that regard Mambo Munhumutapa gave me explicit instructions and ordered me to immediately donate US$1 million towards facilitating the urgent repatriation of those Zimbabweans who are still unable to return home,” he said.

He said he did not immediately have the full amount and requested 24 hours to raise the funds.

“Given the huge amount required, I had to humbly plead with His Excellency to afford me at least 24 hours to try my best to mobilise the funds through every lawful means available to me, including engaging friends, business associates, relatives and even borrowing from commercial banks and financial institutions,” Chivayo said.

He undertook to make the funds available to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade by 8:00 a.m. the following day.

Chivayo also appealed to the business community to support Government efforts during what he described as a national emergency.

“As patriotic citizens and members of the business community, we have a national duty and corporate responsibility to complement Government’s efforts whenever our country faces such emergencies,” he said.

The pledge comes amid growing concern over the welfare of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa following incidents of displacement and anti‑immigrant tensions in parts of the neighbouring country.

Chivayo further urged affected Zimbabweans to return home and participate in rebuilding the country.

“His Excellency further appealed to all Zimbabweans affected by the developments in our neighbouring country to return home and rebuild nyika yavo because ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’,” he said.

He described the initiative as part of the Second Republic’s policy of “leaving no one and no place behind”, reiterating his support for the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda and broader diaspora reintegration efforts.