Written by: Badr Ahmed

Zimbabwean billionaire businessman Kudakwashe Tagwere has announced a $1 million commitment to support his country's government's efforts to repatriate up to 20,000 Zimbabwean citizens from South Africa, amid escalating anti-immigrant protests and growing fears of violence targeting foreigners.

Zimbabwean billionaire donates $1 million to repatriate 20,000 citizens

The initiative aims to fund emergency transport operations carried out by Harare authorities to evacuate citizens wishing to return, at a time when pressure is mounting on the Zimbabwean community residing in South Africa, which is one of the largest foreign communities in the country.

This move highlights the growing role of African business leaders in responding to humanitarian crises, and places Taguiri, who has previously been subject to international sanctions, at the forefront of regional efforts to address the repercussions of the current migration crisis.

The initiative comes in conjunction with the difficult humanitarian situation faced by hundreds of Zimbabweans in the Limpopo province of South Africa, where reports indicate that dozens of families without legal residency documents have been sleeping around the Mankweng police station in Polokwane, after being evicted from rented accommodations in the Sesego and Mankweng areas.

Clever Zvetiti, a representative of the affected group, explained that many citizens were forcibly evicted from their homes and have been living in the open for days, demanding food and basic necessities until their repatriation to Zimbabwe is finalized. It is estimated that more than 600 people have been affected by these developments, and some are receiving assistance through coordination between the authorities of both countries.

The Zimbabwean government had succeeded over the weekend in bringing more than 200 citizens back to the country, with preparations continuing to evacuate more in the coming days.

In contrast, South African authorities stressed that they would not allow the protests to turn violent or involve attacks against foreigners. Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, stated that the police would not tolerate xenophobia, incitement to hatred, or any other illegal activities, emphasizing that anyone found to be inciting violence or using social media to organize illegal acts would be investigated and held accountable.

These developments come ahead of widespread anti-immigration protests, raising growing concerns about escalating security and humanitarian tensions in South Africa in the coming days.