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

Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, an opposition political party in South Africa, has condemned the government’s directive to allow children of undocumented foreigners, including Zimbabweans, to attend schools in the country.
According to a memo issued by South Africa’s Department of Basic Education (DBE), for the 2025 academic year, schools must admit all learners, regardless of their documentation status.
This includes students who fail to provide identification for the country’s matric years and undocumented foreign pupils.
Speaking on South Africa’s national broadcaster SABC, Mashaba said that if he were in authority, he would not allow any undocumented person or learner to benefit from South Africa’s already strained resources. Said Mashaba (<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/flush-out-illegal-zimbabwean-immigrants-children-from-our-schools-says-mashaba-alleges-they-overstretch-resources-in-south-africas-education-sector/">via NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
South Africa now seems to be a country where you do not need passports or VISAs, they just have to walk through our porous borders. Our sovereignty is not there anymore…
I do not understand the logic behind this. The people who made this decision want to make sure that South Africans are as poor as possible.
We know our neighbouring countries are dysfunctional as a result of South Africa also not assisting but we are making matters worse.
I am not sure who they are trying to satisfy. If I had my way, there was no way we would allow anyone without documentation in our country.
Allowing them to use services when we cannot afford them for our own people (does not make sense). You even find in some schools children numbering 90 in a class.
</blockquote>
A significant number of Zimbabweans, potentially in the millions, are living and working in South Africa without legal documentation.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Herman Mashaba from ActionSA in South Africa wants to kick out Zimbabwean children from school if they don't have proper papers. The government said all kids, even if they are undocumented, can go to school starting in 2025. Mashaba thinks this is wrong because it takes resources away from South African kids. He believes the country is allowing too many people without papers to live there. Many Zimbabweans are in South Africa without the right papers. Mashaba thinks this will make South Africans poorer and their schools overcrowded.

Mashaba Demands Expulsion Of Undocumented Zimbabwean Children From South African Schools

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

Thirty (30) Malawians were arrested in Mbare, Harare, on Monday, 22 April after they allegedly failed to produce documents proving they were in the country legally.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/30-illegal-immigrants-arrested-in-mbare/">The Herald</a>, the Malawian nationals were taken to Harare Central police station for further investigations.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests. He said:
<blockquote>
Thirty foreign nationals have been arrested in an operation conducted by police in Mbare after receiving information.
</blockquote>
Asst. Comm. Nyathi added that full details of the arrest would be released today.
Last month, the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200024929/hundreds-of-chinese-migrants-expelled">Zimbabwe Independent</a> reported that since January 2024, there has been an influx of undocumented Malawian nationals.
Respect Gono, the chief director at the Department of Immigration, told the publication that the illegal migrants were arriving in Zimbabwe claiming they were going to work on farms. Said Gono:
<blockquote>
We let their embassy identify them. After that, we hire buses to take them back. This is just sending them back through proper channels so that we do not ruin relations. We do not deport Malawians.
We repatriate them because they are part of the Southern African Development Community.
What happens is that sometimes they hide their passports after getting into Zimbabwe. We search and find to establish if they do have passports.
</blockquote>
Mwayiwawo Polepole, Malawian ambassador to Zimbabwe, said that Harare and Lilongwe enjoy a long history of bilateral and diplomatic relations. Said Polepole:
<blockquote>
Considering that cases of that nature were increasing and filling up space in prisons, the Government of Zimbabwe through the immigration department honoured the United Nations convention that the host country of those arrested should be sent back to their countries.
As neighbours and countries enjoying a long history of bilateral and diplomatic relations, two busses were dispatched to Malawi in January.
Again, in February, another bus-load was dispatched to Malawi. In some instances, when immigration informs the embassy of such cases, the embassy engages in a process of self-repatriation.
These processes are normal. The embassy is grateful to the Government of Zimbabwe for such a gesture.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe serves as a major transit route for African immigrants aiming to reach South Africa, and a significant proportion of foreigners arrested in the country are en route to South Africa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

30 Undocumented Malawians Arrested In Mbare

Thirteen (13) Ethiopians were arrested in Victoria Falls at a house in the city where they were hiding after illegally entering the country, reported the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/13-ethiopians-arrested-for-entering-the-country-illegally/">Chronicle</a>.
The Ethiopians allegedly entered Zimbabwe through an undesignated entry point from Zambia with the help of some locals as they were found at a house where they had been offered a hideout by the occupants.
Police acted on a tip-off after a community member suspected that some foreigners were hiding at the house.
Police then visited the house and found the foreigners without travel documents. The illegal immigrants, all men, range between late 20s to early 40s in age.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Matabeleland North Inspector Glory Banda could not readily comment on the issue as he was out of office on Monday, 25 December.
Illegal immigration occurs in various parts of Africa and is attributed to poverty, conflict, political instability, and lack of economic opportunities in certain countries.
Over the past few years, scores of illegal immigrants en route to South Africa have been intercepted by Zimbabwean authorities and deported.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Police Arrest 13 Ethiopian Border Jumpers

Thirteen people who are believed to have entered South Africa illegally are scheduled to go to court on Monday (today). They were arrested at an old mine in Klerksdorp. The operation to arrest them involved various law enforcement units, including the Hawks’ serious organised crime unit, SA National Defence Force (SANDF), Klerksdorp illicit mining task team, national intervention unit, North West explosives unit, K9 and motorcycle units.
The individuals, who range in age from 15 to 46, are suspected of not having the necessary documents to be in the country legally, <a href="https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-12-03-thirteen-illegal-immigrants-nabbed-at-disused-gold-mine-in-north-west/">The Sowetan</a> reported. According to Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Tinyiko Mathebula, the arrest occurred after authorities received information about illegal gold mining in the area. Mathebula said:
<blockquote>
The suspects were arrested after information was received about the illegal mining of gold in the area. Information was operationalised and the team pounced on the illegal miners who then fled the scene, abandoning their equipment.
Thirteen suspects who were found on the periphery of the mining site were apprehended and charged with contravention of section 49 of the Immigration Act. Preliminary investigation could not link the suspects to illegal mining. They will appear in the Klerksdorp magistrate’s court on Monday.
</blockquote>
During the operation, law enforcement officers also seized various items used in the mining process, such as pendukas, generators, a water tank, and pipes. Additionally, they found gold-bearing material worth around R200,000 and destroyed four informal gold processing plants.
On Friday, more than 100 suspected illegal miners were arrested in the Ekurhuleni area during a joint operation by the police and the SA Defence Force. The operation took place in response to concerns about illegal mining and shootings in the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose. Law enforcement agencies raided and destroyed structures used for illegal mining and confiscated tools such as gas cylinders, pendukas, explosives, and generators.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

South Africa: 13 Suspected Illegal Immigrants Arrested For Illegal Gold Mining

Authorities in Johannesburg have cautioned South Africans about harbouring illegal immigrants, stating that such actions make them accomplices to a crime.
The warning comes after the arrest of 867 individuals believed to be illegal miners in Kleinzee, Northern Cape. Provincial Police Commissioner Koliswa Otola revealed that the majority of those arrested were foreigners suspected of unlawfully entering the country. Said Otola:
<blockquote>
As a word of caution to all South Africans that are harbouring illegal immigrants in their houses, we know the illegal immigrants don’t come here with houses, so they are harboured by South Africans.
Those South Africans who are harbouring illegal immigrants, we are coming for them because they are causing a problem for us.
</blockquote>
South African authorities have been actively seeking to deport illegal immigrants, attributing them to various issues such as increased crime, economic strain, and burden on the struggling healthcare system. Local residents also hold foreign nationals responsible for the escalating unemployment rate, claiming that they occupy jobs intended for locals.
Among the foreign nationals residing in South Africa, Zimbabweans form a significant portion, approximately three million. They arrived in large numbers after the economic collapse and political instability in their home country at the turn of the millennium. Any changes in South Africa’s immigration policy are likely to affect the large settlement of hundreds of thousands.
Analysts predict that such measures will also have a significant negative impact on the economy since foreign nationals have been a key contributor to the country’s growth over the past two decades. They often provide cheap labour compared to locals.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Johannesburg Authorities Warn South Africans Against Harboring Illegal Immigrants

Almost 600 illegal immigrants were arrested and deported from Zimbabwe to their countries between January and June 2023, according to the latest statistics from the Department of Immigration.
Additionally, 71 individuals are under investigation for forging police clearances and educational qualifications. Currently, 219 foreign nationals are being held in various centres across the country, awaiting deportation. Department of Immigration chief director Ms Respect Gono told The Sunday Mail:
<blockquote>
While there are positives to derive in attracting investors and expatriates into the country, continued violations of Zimbabwe immigration laws by some foreign nationals remain of concern.
About 597 foreign nationals were arrested, prosecuted and deported from Zimbabwe for the period extending January 1 to June 30, 2023.
Zimbabwe is currently holding 219 irregular migrants, detained countrywide.
Some are held pending deportation and others are serving prison sentences, while others are held in custody pending trial.”
Of concern is the surge in cases of foreign nationals, particularly from North Africa, who enter Zimbabwe masquerading as tourists or businesspersons and then start engaging in the sale of kitchenware, carpets and bedding sheets without authorisation.
Their presence is now commonplace in high-density areas . . .
They would then approach residents while fronting local women, offering goods on a three-month credit facility, and return as and when payment is due.
They become quite hostile each time a client defaults.
</blockquote>
Gono stated that Egyptian nationals Mohammed Ibrahim, Hamed Elkazaz, and Ziad Fathy Ali Awad were arrested for related offences, and their kitchenware was confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). She emphasised that while Zimbabwe welcomes foreign nationals contributing to national development, it is mandatory for them to engage in designated sectors, leaving reserved sectors for locals.
Violation of visa conditions and documentation fraud are the most common immigration offences. As a response, Zimbabwe recently launched the National Migration Policy to strengthen its legislative and institutional apparatus, combat illegal immigration, and tackle transnational organized crimes. Despite the challenges, the country has also seen an influx of investors and skilled professionals in sectors such as mining.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Nearly 600 Illegal Immigrants Deported From Zimbabwe Between January And June 2023

South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) has said illegal migrants are putting a heavy strain on the country’s fiscus with adverse effects on service delivery and high unemployment, among other things.
Mbalula made the remarks while addressing the ANC 9th Western Cape Provincial Conference over the weekend.
He said the issue of illegal migrants has been a ticking time bomb for the country. Mbalula said:
<blockquote>
Illegal immigrants put a heavy strain on the fiscus with adverse effects on service delivery, the overstretched health sector, high unemployment and poverty.
Illegal immigrants have been a ticking time bomb for the country, which has been an albatross of the ANC-led government to accelerate service delivery at a faster pace and the outbreak of violence as attested to by the violent attacks in Diepsloot on June 21.
</blockquote>
Mbalula implored communities to exercise restraint and avoid damage to property and life.
Last week Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi briefed the ANC’s national working committee (NWC) on migration.
He suggested changes to immigration policies, including amendment proposals on citizenship, immigration and refugee protection.
Mbalula said the ANC’s NWC noted the briefing and emphasised the need for a balance between national interests and international solidarity, particularly within the Pan-African context.
On 07 June, this year, Motsoaledi extended the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), which would have expired at the end of June, to 31 December 2023.
The extension of the ZEP permit means that holders can enter and leave South Africa provided they comply with all other requirements for crossing the border.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ANC Says Illegal Immigrants A Burden On South Africa's Fiscus

A South African human rights activist and lawyer, Jos Venter, said it is illegal to deny children of undocumented foreign nationals entry at any school in that country.
Venter said this in response to Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie who had called for the children of foreign nationals to be refused entry to South African schools.
Venter said McKenzie’s call was unlawful because education was a basic human right. He said:
<blockquote>
It is absolutely illegal and Gayton McKenzie is wrong in his view, wrong in the law and at a practical level, the implementation of the law is problematic.
But we have the 2019 judgment from the Eastern Cape division of the high court, where the court expressly said that, based on a lack of documents, children can’t be refused admission to public schools.
</blockquote>
Last week, the South African pressure group <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Operation_Dudula">Operation Dudula</a>, said its members will camp outside schools across Gauteng Province to prevent undocumented foreign children and teachers to be part of day one of school.

Refusing Undocumented Children Access To School 'Wrong And Illegal', Says South African Lawyer

An Ethiopian illegal immigrant in transit to South Africa was reportedly left for dead by his colleagues in Zimbabwe after a car accident.
Tsegaye Summu (28), travelled with others in September and while in Zvishavane, a mining town in Midlands Province, a kombi they had hired was involved in an accident.
The other passengers reportedly escaped unhurt and had to look for alternative transport to proceed with their journey and left Summu by the roadside unconscious.
Summu was taken to Zvishavane Hospital under police guard and later moved to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for better care.
On Friday last week, he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Busani Sibanda charged with entering Zimbabwe without a valid permit.
However, the state couldn’t establish on which date and through which port of entry Summu entered the country.
Summu was fined and awaits deportation from Zimbabwe. | <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/ethiopian-man-in-transit-to-sa-bust-in-zimbabwe-after-being-left-for-dead-in-road-accident-20230115">News24</a>

Ethiopian Border Jumper In Car Accident Left For Dead In Zimbabwe

About 550 Malawian citizens are said to be in Zimbabwean prisons after they were caught trying to sneak into South Africa without proper travel documents.
According to authorities, 317 Malawians are in prison in the capital Harare, 83 are in a prison in the Midlands city of Gweru, 82 in Chivhu and 86 in Mvuma.
The majority of the immigrants had no intention of staying in Zimbabwe as they were caught en route to South Africa, according to <a href="https://nation.africa/africa/news/550-malawians-languishing-in-zimbabwean-jails-3959512">Nation Africa</a>.
Malawi has since sought help from international institutions such as the International Migration Organisation (IOM) to facilitate the return of its citizens.
IOM Zimbabwe spokesperson Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti confirmed that the organisation was considering the request from the Malawian government. Ms Nyamande-Pangeti said:
<blockquote>
We are supporting the government (of Zimbabwe) through the provision of varied logistical support as we always do where funding is available.
We cannot provide any other details on the progress of this operation or how long these Malawian nationals have been in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Livit Mugejo said the embassy of Malawi is processing their papers for them to go back to Malawi. He said:
<blockquote>
These are not prisoners, they were only intercepted and found to have inadequate papers.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission says it is not ideal for immigrants to be locked up in prisons with criminals as this was a violation of human rights violations.
Immigrants from across Africa use Zimbabwe as an entry point into South Africa due to the country’s porous borders.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

About 550 Malawian Citizens In Zimbabwean Prisons

Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, has refuted claims that the bulk of crimes in that country are committed by foreign nationals.
Mbeki said it is wrong to paint all foreign nationals with the same brush, adding that foreigners who are committing crimes in South Africa must be arrested and deported.
He made the remarks during a conversation with students and diplomats in Pretoria. Said, Mbeki:
<blockquote>
We need to walk away from the false notion that the bulk of crime in this country is caused by foreigners. It is not correct.
The bulk of crime in this country is caused is committed by South Africans. There are foreigners who commit crimes.
You should arrest them and charge them. This is what we should do and avoid labelling other people.
</blockquote>
Mbeki also said South Africans are not xenophobic.
The former President said that South Africa owes African countries for its independence, especially countries such as Angola and Mozambique where thousands of people were killed by the racist regime for supporting the country’s struggle for freedom. He said:
<blockquote>
The African continent has felt, for a very long time, very, very close to this country, that it has its own responsibility to assist in the liberation of the people of South Africa.
You take a country like Mozambique just across our border, which lost thousands and thousands of people killed because it was refusing to walk away from the support here. The same thing happened in Angola.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/mbeki-says-south-africans-are-not-xenophobic-and-foreigners-should-not-be-labeled-as-criminals/">SABC News</a>

Mbeki Says South Africans Are Not Xenophobic

Zimbabwe has expelled over 300 undocumented Malawian nationals who had entered the country using illegal crossing points.
Department of Immigration public relations officer, Canisia Magaya on Monday confirmed the deportation of the Malawians which has been ongoing since October last year. She said:
<blockquote>Investigations established that they circumvented official crossing points with assistance from smuggling syndicates with the intention to proceed to South Africa.
These movements are reportedly common during the peak periods of South Africa’s farming season.
Security agencies in the country are alert to these irregular movements and are on the lookout to ensure Zimbabwe is not used as a transit country by irregular migrants.</blockquote>
The Department of Immigration arrested 614 undocumented foreigners during the first half of last year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/300-foreigners-arrested/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

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