Dr TAGWIREI PLEDGES US$1 MILLION TO ASSIST ZIMBABWEANS AFFECTED BY SA XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS

Prominent businessman and ZANU-PF Central Committee member Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei is set to provide US$1 million towards the repatriation of Zimbabweans affected by the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa, according to a document circulating on social media.

The document, which purports to be correspondence between the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Bridging Gaps Foundation, indicates that the donation is intended to facilitate the transportation of about 20 000 Zimbabweans wishing to return home following attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

According to the letter, dated June 26, 2026, the Ministry, through the Department of Civil Protection, acknowledged the Foundation's offer of assistance and expressed appreciation for the intervention.

The document states that Government intends to coordinate the repatriation exercise through the Department of Civil Protection and requested the Foundation to finalise the procurement of buses that would be deployed during the operation.

It further indicates that the Foundation had been asked to provide details of the buses to be deployed within South Africa and those to be stationed at Beitbridge Border Post, together with contact details of the transport operators to facilitate coordination.

The circulating document also states that the proposed intervention seeks to provide safe transportation for Zimbabweans affected by the unrest under the theme, "Humanity First", with the objective of ensuring that those wishing to return home are assisted.

The reported donation comes against the backdrop of renewed reports of xenophobic attacks in several South African provinces, where foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, are said to have sought refuge at churches, community centres and police stations.

However, by the time of going to print, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works had not yet officially announced the programme, while the authenticity of the circulating correspondence had not been independently verified.

Efforts to obtain official comment from both Government and the Bridging Gaps Foundation were ongoing at the time of publication