Schools ordered to admit returning SA learners without documents

The government ordered all public schools to admit learners returning from South Africa even without school reports or transfer letters, as part of the repatriation response. Information Minister Soda Zhemu announced the directive on Tuesday, saying no child should be denied education because of documentation gaps caused by emergency departures. The order follows the forced return of thousands of Zimbabweans who fled xenophobic attacks in South Africa, often without opportunity to collect school records. Authorities have registered 15,000 returnees for employment and extended healthcare and transport support to assist reintegration. The sudden repatriation of over 108,000 people is overwhelming public systems, from schools to health facilities.