Polokwane — Several Zimbabwean nationals remain stranded outside Mankweng Police Station near Polokwane and have appealed to the Zimbabwean government to provide transport to return them and their belongings home, SABC News reported on 26 August 2026.
Waiting for buses and trucks
Those gathered outside the station say some of their compatriots were repatriated in July but that goods and luggage belonging to returnees are still at the site. One of the people waiting, Herbert Masimba, told SABC News the group wants the Zimbabwean government to contract truckers to collect and transport their belongings.
“What we want the Zimbabwean government to do for us is to look for truckers who are willing to take these goods from here to Zimbabwe. Once they drop off these goods, the government should pay them and give them a binding contract stating that they will be paid once they have completed the work. That is what we need the trucks for now,” Masimba said.
Masimba also said the Zimbabwean government had promised that buses would continue to arrive to repatriate people. He added the group is compiling a list of those who want to be repatriated.
Local context and practical implications
The situation highlights two immediate needs facing the people outside Mankweng Police Station: transport for passengers and separate logistical arrangements for goods and luggage. According to the account reported by SABC News, organisers are asking for a formal agreement from Zimbabwean authorities so truckers are assured of payment.
- Transport for people: buses to carry stranded nationals back to Zimbabwe.
- Transport for goods: trucks to collect belongings and deliver them across the border.
- Contracting and payment security: written agreements to guarantee truckers will be paid on completion.
Where responsibility rests
The appeal is directed at the Zimbabwean government. In cross-border repatriation operations, responsibilities are typically shared between the country of origin and the host country: the host may facilitate temporary shelter and immigration processing, while the country of origin often organises transport for its nationals. SABC News reported that the stranded people are asking Zimbabwe to move on the logistics for both people and possessions.
Impact on the local community
People stranded outside a police station can strain local services and create humanitarian concerns, particularly if repatriation is delayed. Police facilities are not long-term shelters; sustained presence of people and stored goods could require additional coordination among law enforcement, social services and possibly civil society organisations to ensure safety and dignity while arrangements are made.
| Location | Primary issue |
|---|---|
| Mankweng Police Station, near Polokwane | Stranded Zimbabwean nationals seeking transport and collection of luggage |
What the stranded people say they need
According to SABC News reporting, the group wants:
- Trucks contracted by the Zimbabwean government to transport goods and luggage.
- Contracts or written assurances to guarantee payment to truckers after delivery.
- Buses to continue repatriating those who have listed themselves for return.
What to watch for
Follow-up developments to look out for include confirmation from Zimbabwean authorities about any repatriation programme being resumed, details of logistical arrangements for the goods left behind and statements from local law enforcement about the status of the group outside Mankweng Police Station. Any coordinated response could involve the Zimbabwean embassy or consulate in South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs and provincial social services.
I reported this account from the information published by SABC News on 26 August 2026; there were no further figures or timelines provided in that report. For people with family members affected, the immediate practical contacts are likely to be Mankweng Police Station and local social services, while those organising repatriation usually work through official channels including diplomatic missions.
