At least 14 South African nationals are currently being held in Zimbabwean prisons, with most facing deportation for immigration offences, while a few face more severe charges, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery and drug trafficking. The situation has been brought to light by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), which has raised concerns about the conditions and legal processes for these detained individuals.
According to reports from the ZHRC following inspections at Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, the South Africans are part of a larger group of over 70 foreign nationals held in the country. The majority are accused of entering Zimbabwe without authorisation.
Jessie Majome, the chairperson of the ZHRC, confirmed that as of last week, nine South Africans — seven men and two women — were awaiting deportation for breaching immigration laws. The process involves verification with the South African High Commission in Zimbabwe. However, the timeline for these deportations remains unclear, leaving the families of those detained in a state of uncertainty.
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Serious Charges and Prison Conditions
Beyond immigration violations, the situation is more complex for some of the detainees. Three South African men are set to appear in the Harare Magistrate’s Court this month on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Additionally, one South African woman has already been convicted of dealing in dangerous drugs and sentenced to a 10-year prison term in Zimbabwe.
The ZHRC has voiced significant concerns about the conditions within the detention facilities. Majome highlighted that the Harare Remand Prison for men is heavily overcrowded, a stark contrast to the women’s prison, which is not. A ZHRC spokesperson noted that detainees are living in “inhumane conditions, with limited access to basic healthcare, education, and delayed legal processes.” The commission has urged the Zimbabwean government to deport immigration offenders rather than holding them in prisons for extended periods, stating that many are “undocumented migrants and should be deported, not imprisoned.”
This influx of arrests is occurring amid what is described as a regional crackdown on illegal migration, potentially exacerbated by rising economic instability in southern Africa. The plight of the detained South Africans has also renewed calls from non-profit organisations like Baagi Ba South Africa for the government to establish international prisoner transfer treaties. Such agreements would allow South Africans convicted abroad to serve their sentences back home, facilitating rehabilitation and family contact.
Image credit: GPT Academy
