Schools across Zimbabwe have been directed to enrol children returning from South Africa, with the government saying no child should be denied access to education as families affected by anti-immigration tensions begin returning home.
The directive comes as uncertainty continues in South Africa, where June 30 marked the deadline set by anti-immigration groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country. Zimbabwean authorities say they have been preparing for the return of affected nationals by putting in place reintegration measures, including education support for children, customs duty concessions and coordination among relevant 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.
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He said the directive was intended to ensure that 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,” Soda said.
Soda said the Government remained committed to supporting Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
“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.
In addition to the education measures, Soda announced that Treasury had extended customs concessions previously available to holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) to eligible returnees.
Under the arrangement, qualifying Zimbabweans will be allowed to import one motor vehicle under suspension of customs duty, although Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain payable. According to Soda, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has been directed to apply flexible valuation methods to minimise the tax burden.
He said no import permit would be required for vehicles more than 10 years old, provided they were purchased before the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit on December 31, 2022.
The concessions also apply 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 stressed that the facility would not cover newly acquired goods and would remain 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 Government’s announcement comes amid anti-immigration protests in South Africa led by groups including March and March, which have been calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
The movement declared June 30 as a deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa, arguing that illegal immigration contributes to unemployment, places pressure on public services and fuels crime.
It also threatened a nationwide shutdown if the Government failed to tighten immigration enforcement.
The developments prompted concern among some migrant communities, with reports that a number of foreign nationals opted to return to their home countries ahead of the deadline amid fears of possible violence.
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