Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has drawn a firm line in the sand, declaring that the government will not fund medical treatment for citizens seeking healthcare in South Africa — even as some Zimbabweans abroad face mounting challenges accessing critical services.
Addressing lawmakers during a recent parliamentary session, Ziyambi said the country’s limited financial resources must be prioritised for strengthening healthcare within Zimbabwe. “Those who went to South Africa did not go there for handouts,” he remarked bluntly, in response to growing concern over the plight of diaspora Zimbabweans who are increasingly being turned away from hospitals and clinics across the border.
Ziyambi emphasized that while the government is aware of the difficulties faced by its nationals abroad, it cannot extend state-funded assistance beyond its borders unless local needs are fully met and surplus resources are available. “Government support for citizens outside the country will only be considered once we have taken care of our people at home,” he stated.
The minister’s comments come at a time of heightened tension in parts of South Africa, where some organizations and local community members have actively blocked foreign nationals — including Zimbabweans — from accessing public healthcare services. The situation has sparked widespread debate over immigration, healthcare rights, and the role of home governments in supporting their diaspora.
Ziyambi’s firm stance may resonate with some at home who see external healthcare funding as unsustainable, but it has also drawn criticism from Zimbabweans living in South Africa, many of whom feel abandoned by a government they still support through remittances.
As the cross-border healthcare crisis escalates, the Zimbabwean government’s message is clear: help begins — and may end — at home.
