Violence against foreigners, including Zimbabweans, in South Africa
The expulsion of over 150,000 Zimbabweans from South Africa since May 2026 by threats of violence and actual mob attacks had changed the Zimbabwe which Graham Chuck and Peter Murphy visited on August 16-27, 2026, representing the Zimbabwe Information Centre (ZIC).
The Zimbabwe Peacebuilding Initiative (ZimPI) noted that the government, United Nations agencies and churches had immediately assisted returning Zimbabweans, but that the students approaching their matriculation exams would really need help if they were to sit for their exams and be able to continue with further education or employment.
On August 17, Senator Sekai Holland (ZimPI) and Professor Mandi Rukuni (Barefoot Education for Africa Trust - BEAT) met with government Ministers to find a solution for the Matric students, and ZIC was able to assist with preparation of a succinct written proposal. This document went straight to the Cabinet, and a process to identify the students and locate schools where they could sit their Matric exam started to unfold.
There are about 3 million Zimbabweans in South Africa, so the great bulk of them are still there, working and sending remittances back to their families. However, those forced to return to Zimbabwe will no longer be sending remittances, and are struggling to re-establish themselves.
