Mnangagwa to chair emergency meeting

The Zimbabwean government is set to convene an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to discuss the growing number of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa amid weeks of anti-immigrant protests and vigilante action.

The move comes as the government faces mounting criticism over its handling of the repatriation exercise, with critics accusing authorities of failing to adequately assist thousands of Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa following escalating anti-immigrant demonstrations.

The protests intensified after vigilante groups issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, prompting thousands of people to march in support of the campaign.

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans have since either returned voluntarily or been deported, exposing the government's limited repatriation capacity and forcing churches, non-governmental organisations and private individuals to assist those returning home.

Some returnees remain stranded at border posts, including Beitbridge, highlighting challenges in transport and coordination.

Businessman Paul Tungwarara has donated 50 buses to ferry returnees, while businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has pledged US$1 million towards repatriation efforts.

The private sector's intervention has drawn comparisons with neighbouring Malawi, which deployed buses to transport thousands of its citizens back home.

Speaking during the burial of national hero Everisto Dzihwema at the National Heroes' Acre on Tuesday, Mnangagwa appealed to businesses and well-wishers to support government efforts.

"I invite the private sector and well-wishers to donate and partner with government to accelerate the repatriation of many more of our people back home," he said.

"Our hands, therefore, are outstretched to receive all those coming back home. You are welcome home. Let us continue to build, modernise, industrialise and develop our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, together."

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa confirmed that Mnangagwa would chair an emergency Cabinet meeting to address the situation.

"There is going to be an emergency sitting by Cabinet on the goings-on in South Africa, or the chaos there. This situation is painful, and it needs sober heads," Mutsvangwa said.

"From the President's speech, there was an indication that there is going to be an emergency meeting over the chaos in South Africa, because this is equivalent to a disaster."

Mutsvangwa said Zimbabweans were arriving at the Beitbridge Border Post from farms and cities across South Africa, including Cape Town and Durban.

"There are Zimbabweans, as well as Malawians and other nationals, coming to our border, and the situation is painful," he said.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo has established soft-landing centres to receive and assist returning Zimbabweans.

Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said the centres were intended to facilitate the reception and onward transportation of returnees.

"We receive people from Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North and connect them to their destinations," she said.

Ncube added that the government was assisting returnees with transport to their rural homes, including bus fares and support from churches where necessary.

Despite those efforts, many deported Zimbabweans reportedly remain stranded in Beitbridge, with some waiting for up to two weeks before being transported to their final destinations.