President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he supports the United States government’s decision to deport over 500 undocumented Zimbabweans residing illegally in the country.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>
The Government of Zimbabwe supports the United States Government’s decision to repatriate and return our Zimbabwean citizens who may have been residing in the US illegally.
</blockquote>
It is estimated that approximately 545 Zimbabweans are currently living in the United States illegally.
This figure is part of a larger group of undocumented immigrants who have been ordered to leave the country.

Pindula News

President Mnangagwa said he supports the United States sending back more than 500 Zimbabweans living there illegally. He thinks it's okay for them to be deported. Around 545 Zimbabweans are in the United States without permission. This is just a small part of all the undocumented immigrants who have been told to go back to their home country.

Mnangagwa Supports The Deportation Of Undocumented Zimbabweans From United States

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) have introduced new technology, including drones and “deportation buses,” to address the anticipated increase in border crossings during the festive season.
According to <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/804045/south-africa-launches-new-drones-and-deportation-buses-to-fight-illegal-immigrants/">BusinessTech</a>, this is the first implementation of such measures aimed at managing the country’s borders.
At the launch event, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that the use of drones will enhance the department’s ability to monitor and manage border activities effectively. He said:
<blockquote>
No longer will it be the case that people can move around without us having eyes on them. We want to send a very clear message to people who want to violate South Africa’s emigration laws: for the very first time, you won’t even know that we are seeing you.
We are above you, we are around you, and we are watching for infringements along the borderline.
</blockquote>
In addition to deploying drones, the Department is also implementing the use of body cameras to combat corruption and ensure the safety of officials, including border guards and the defence force.
Meanwhile, the buses will be on the roads, transporting illegal immigrants caught crossing the border back to their home countries. Said Schreiber:
<blockquote>
We welcome any traveller, any investor, any tourist, any skilled person who will follow our laws and help us build South Africa.
But that is different from people who violate our law and don’t want to comply with our rules.
You will find we have a renewed commitment to enforcing the rule of law in South Africa. That is how you create a secure country.
</blockquote>
Schreiber revealed that the buses have already deported the first group of 290 illegal miners back to Mozambique.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South Africa is using new technology like drones and deportation buses to stop people from crossing the border. The drones will watch people moving around, and body cameras will help prevent corruption. Illegal immigrants caught will be sent back home on buses. The goal is to make South Africa safe by enforcing the country's laws. The first group of 290 illegal miners was already sent back to Mozambique. The government wants people to follow the rules and help build a secure country.

South Africa Launches New Drones And "Deportation Buses" To Curb Border Jumping

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African opposition party, has raised concerns about the R52.8 million (US$2.9 million) spent on deporting illegal immigrants between April and August.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, in a recent Q&amp;A session in parliament, revealed that 19,750 undocumented immigrants were deported, costing the government R52,817,656 (US$2,995,289.27).
This number represents an increase from the 10,808 deportations in 2022/23.
Speaking to TimesLive, EFF MP Thapelo Mogale said the funds could have been better used to strengthen border management and prevent unauthorised entries of foreigners. Said Mogale:
<blockquote>
The department is spending excessive amounts of money on the deporting of illegal immigrants in just a few months. If we were to look at it over a period of five years, I’m convinced we would’ve spent a billion or more.
That is money that could be used for other things. We have a border management agency which is grossly underfunded.
If the border management agency is underfunded, then you’ll experience an influx of undocumented people coming into the country.
</blockquote>
Mogale suggested a more practical approach of documenting immigrants rather than spending heavily on deportations. He said:
<blockquote>
These people are here already, and now we have to spend millions to get rid of them. The EFF’s solution is to document these people because they are already here.
In that way we’ll be able to identify those who are undesirable, those who may have criminal records, fugitives of justice, and those who ran away from their countries of origin because of criminal activities.
We’ll be able to keep those kinds of things through that process.
</blockquote>
The leading countries of origin for deported immigrants in 2022/23 were Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South Africa spent a lot of money, around US$3 million, to deport people who crossed the border illegally. Many undocumented immigrants were sent back to their home countries. The opposition party thinks the money could have been used better to manage the borders properly. They suggest that instead of deporting people, they should be documented to see if they have criminal records. This way, they can keep track of who is coming in and out of the country. Most of the deported people came from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

South Africa Spends US$3 Million On Deporting Border Jumpers

The government is preparing to welcome thousands of Zimbabweans living illegally in South Africa who are expected to be deported from the neighbouring country.
South Africa has intensified its deportation efforts, particularly targeting Zimbabweans, amid concerns from locals that foreigners are taking jobs and contributing to rising crime rates.
In response to written questions from legislators during a parliamentary session on Wednesday regarding the government’s plans to accommodate returning Zimbabweans, Public Service and Social Welfare Minister Maruva Mercy Dinha said:
<blockquote>
The government of Zimbabwe, working with the International Organisation for Migration, laid a foundation for the receipt of migrants in anticipation of the return of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit non-holders from South Africa.
In that regard, there are inter-ministerial committees in place that will be activated to attend to any anticipated return of citizens.
My ministry is finalising the renovations of the Beitbridge and Plumtree reception and support centres, respectively, where returnees will be admitted and then reintegrated into the communities where they came from.
Our capability to handle any number of our returning citizens cannot be doubted as evidenced by our acquittal during the COVID-19 pandemic, where hundreds of thousands of returning citizens were successfully received and reintegrated into the country.
</blockquote>
South Africa hosts millions of African migrants, with a significant number of them being undocumented Zimbabweans.
Approximately 178,000 Zimbabwean nationals currently reside in South Africa under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), set to expire on November 29, 2025.
However, ZEP holders are ineligible for permanent residence, and the permits are non-renewable. As a result, there are concerns that many beneficiaries may face deportation when their ZEPs expire.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is getting ready for many people from South Africa to come back. South Africa is sending back people from other countries who are living there without permission. The Zimbabwe government is preparing to welcome its citizens who will be deported from South Africa. They are getting ready to help them settle back into their communities. Many Zimbabweans live in South Africa with special permits, but these permits will expire soon, and they might have to go back to Zimbabwe. The government is making plans to help these people when they come back.

Zimbabwe Prepares For Migrant Influx From South Africa

A joint operation by South African security services last Friday resulted in the arrest of 208 undocumented immigrants. Of these, 176 were Zimbabwean nationals.
The group of border jumpers also included individuals from Mozambique and India. In a statement, Limpopo Province Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals have been deported.
At the same time, the Indian citizens are being held in custody pending deportation to their home country. Said Ledwaba:
<blockquote>
A joint operation executed by the South African Police Service in Limpopo province led to the arrest of 208 undocumented immigrants and the recovery of suspected stolen properties at Marble Hall and Groblersdall policing area under Sekhukhune District.
The main objective of the operation that commenced in the evening on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Leeuwfontein and surrounding farms until the next day on Friday, July 19, 2024, at about 11 am was to rid the area of illegal activities.
The Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals comprising adult and minor children were immediately deported to their respective policing borders after their arrests.
</blockquote>
South Africa hosts a significant number of foreign nationals, including both legal immigrants and illegal migrants who have entered the country in search of better economic prospects.
Some of the illegal immigrants take up jobs in industries such as agriculture, filling roles that are reportedly less desirable among the South African workforce. These positions often involve manual labour or other forms of menial work.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Last week, South Africa caught 208 people without proper papers, with 176 being from Zimbabwe. The police sent the Zimbabweans and Mozambicans back home. The Indians are still in jail until they can go back to India. The police want to stop illegal activities in the area. Some foreigners go to South Africa for work that local people don't want to do. Many immigrants there are looking for better lives.

176 Zimbabweans Deported From South Africa

South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced a crackdown on illegal employment in the country.
Schreiber has pledged to significantly step up inspections at various businesses across the country, including restaurants, spaza shops, farms, and mines, to identify and take action against those found to be illegally employed.
Schreiber stated that the government’s focus will be on deporting any individuals who are discovered to be working in South Africa without the proper legal authorisation or documentation. Said Schreiber:
<blockquote>
In the coming year, Home Affairs will increase the number of inspections at restuarants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% in order to take action against people illegally employed including through deportations.
</blockquote>
South Africa is grappling with a concerning issue of illegal immigration and the employment of undocumented foreign nationals within its borders.
Reports suggest that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are currently engaged in various sectors of the South African economy, despite the clear prohibitions outlined in the country’s Immigration Act and Employment Services Act.
The Department of Home Affairs has emphasized the responsibilities of employers in this matter. Businesses are required to make a genuine effort to verify the immigration status and work authorization of their foreign employees.
This includes checking for valid work visas or permits through the appropriate channels, as well as conducting regular immigration audits to ensure compliance.
Failure to meet these obligations can result in significant penalties for employers. Under the existing legal framework, those found in violation of the Immigration Act may face hefty fines or even imprisonment. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The South African government is cracking down on illegal workers in the country. They will be inspecting businesses like restaurants, spaza shops, farms, and mines to find and deport people who are working without proper authorization. Thousands of illegal immigrants are currently working in South Africa, breaking the law. Employers are responsible for checking their workers' immigration status and can face fines or imprisonment if they do not follow the rules. The government is taking this issue seriously to protect jobs for South Africans.

Schreiber Targets Illegal Workers On South African Farms, Restuarants, Spaza Shops, Mines

Thousands of Zimbabwean nationals residing in South Africa whose special permits expire at the end of this year can now bring back all their belongings duty-free, including one vehicle, a Cabinet minister has said.
Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said there are no limits to personal property that one can bring back home. She said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwean Government has issued guidelines and regulations for returning residents which include one duty-free vehicle and no limits to personal property.
Government has also engaged the South African government, emphasising that Zimbabwe is ready to receive its returning nationals, who should comply with the relevant South African laws.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe expects tens of thousands of its nationals to be deported from South Africa following the expiry of Zimbabwe Exemptions Permits (ZEP) which South Africa had granted them.
Zimbabwean ZEP holders in South Africa were given up to 31 December 2022 to regularise their stay or face deportation. SA later extended the permit’s validity to June 30 of next year.
Mutsvangwa added that Cabinet had agreed to establish an inter-ministerial committee that would be supported by sub-committees that would look at the provision of transport and logistics, security, documentation, re-integration support, resource mobilisation, information and publicity as well as health and education.
About 189 000 Zimbabweans held the ZEPs and the bulk of them face deportation after failing to get fresh permits under other schemes.

Govt Extends Duty-free Facility To Citizens Returning From South Africa

Eighty-four (84) Malawian immigrants are languishing in Zimbabwean prisons after they were arrested for travelling without requisite documents.
It is believed that the majority of the immigrants had no intention of staying in Zimbabwe but were travelling to South Africa.
Malawi’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Elias Mpaso confirmed that scores of Malawians are detained in Zimbabwean prisons saying the embassy was making efforts to repatriate them. He said:
<blockquote>
Last Friday we had 84 Malawian nationals in Zimbabwean jails. There are 66 males at Harare Remand Prison and 18 females at Chikurubi. These people were arrested in different parts of Zimbabwe.
However, the government is trying its best to repatriate them, we are still waiting for the Foreign Affairs Department to officially inform us. We are also sourcing funds from Malawi for their repatriation.
In Malawi, the repatriation process is done in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Food Disaster Management to take our citizens back to Malawi.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe does not have holding facilities for immigrants awaiting deportation and as a result, border jumpers are imprisoned.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) said it is a violation of the immigrants’ human rights to put them in prisons together with convicted criminals. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002578/84-malawian-migrants-languish-in-zim-prisons">NewsDay</a>

84 Malawian Border Jumpers Languish In Zim Prisons

Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe has condemned the South African government over the ongoing clampdown on illegal Zimbabwean immigrants, saying the move is un-African.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, EFF Zimbabwe President Innocent Ndibali queried why South Africa was targeting Zimbabweans only leaving out undocumented foreigners from Europe and Asia. Said Ndibali:
<blockquote>
EFF is for borderless Africa and it’s foolish for the South African government to target Zimbabweans who are Africans while leaving the Chinese and many other Europeans who are illegally living in the country.
SA must be doing more to assist the Zimbabwe government and also understand that Zimbabwe is targeted by the West through sanctions because of having taken back its land.
</blockquote>
Ndibali also chided South African authorities for alleging that Zimbabwean soldiers and police officers manning the Beitbridge border post were taking bribes to allow Zimbabweans to cross into the neighbouring country illegally. He said:
<blockquote>
Also, the South African government must not disrespect Zimbabwe police and army on bribery allegations yet they have the most corrupt police in the world.
Last year, we had a case of South Africa police officers who were arrested while assisting people smuggling goods into Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Last week, South African authorities deported hundreds of Zimbabweans who had illegally crossed the border.
The blitz followed the recent decision by the South African government to discontinue the special permits (Zimbabwe Exemption Permit) for Zimbabweans who have been living and working in that country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/sas-blitz-on-undocumented-zimbabweans-foolish-un-african-eff/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

EFF Zimbabwe Condemns 'un-African' SA Deportations

The second batch of seven Zimbabwean nationals who were deported from the United Kingdom last month have reunited with their families and relatives after completing a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
The deportees were quarantined at the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM) in Darwendale.
ZIPAM acting director-general Edgar Makande on Tuesday said the Government took care of the deportees and helped integrate them back into communities. Makande said:
<blockquote>
Yes, the seven have all re-integrated with their families and there were no complaints from them while staying here.
</blockquote>
They were offered free meals, while also enjoying basics like free wi-fi connectivity and television during their stay at ZIPAM at taxpayers’ expense.
While residents returning to Zimbabwe voluntarily are required to undergo mandatory quarantine, they have to do so at their own expense.
The British government deports foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, who would have been released from detention after serving jail terms for various offences.
Most among both the first and second batch of returnees arrived in England between 1999 and 2007 and were being deported since they had been convicted of serious offences.
These crimes do not count against them on their return as the offences were not committed in Zimbabwe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/second-batch-of-deportees-from-uk-reunites-with-families/">The Herald</a></h4>

Seven Zimbabweans Deported From Britain Reunite With Families

The second group of Zimbabwean deportees from the United Kingdom consisting of seven people arrived in the country on Thursday morning.
The group of seven touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at 10 am aboard a Boeing 767.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9tHfJzXoAI23BJ?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
This brings to 21 Zimbabwean citizens who have been deported by the British government since July after 14 deportees from the UK arrived in the country last month.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9tHfKAXMAACh4V?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
The 14 spent 10 days in quarantine at the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM) before they were integrated with their families and relatives.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/second-batch-of-uk-deportees-arrive/">The Herald</a></h4>

Second Group Of UK Deportees Arrive

The United Kingdom (UK) government will repatriate the second batch of the remaining 36 Zimbabweans on Thursday this week.
The first batch of 14 arrived in Zimbabwe in July and the deportees have already been integrated with their families.
Initially, 50 were earmarked for repatriation, but only 14 made it as others could not be returned due to last-minute legal challenges and the outbreak of COVID-19 at one of the removal centres.
In an interview with State media on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Constance Chemwayi said:
<blockquote>
We are aware that there are some Zimbabweans being deported from the UK arriving on August 26.
The process is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
</blockquote>
The UK Border Act 2007 allows the British government to issue a deportation order for a foreign national who has received a custodial sentence of at least 12 months unless an exception applies.
Deportation of foreign criminals is subject to several exceptions, including the European Convention on Human Rights or UK’s obligation under the refugee convention.
All those deported have been provided with the opportunity to raise claims including asylum and human claims before their deportation.
Meanwhile, Chemwayi said all the deportees are welcome back home.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/36-uk-deportees-homeward-bound/">The Herald</a></h4>

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