In the sweltering cells of Harare Remand Prison, a group of South African nationals are languishing, their lives put on hold as they await deportation or face trial for various crimes. According to Jessie Majome, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, the situation is dire, with scores of South Africans stuck in limbo.

Majome’s visit to the prison in April revealed a shocking number of foreign nationals, including 16 from Burundi, 12 from Ethiopia, and 11 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among them were seven South African men, with three facing charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Two South African women were also awaiting deportation, while a third was serving a 10-year sentence for dealing in dangerous drugs.

Majome emphasized that the lack of independent holding facilities for immigration offenders means that these individuals are being detained in prisons, often in crowded conditions. The Harare Remand Prison, where the men are being held, is particularly overcrowded, while the women’s prison is relatively less crowded.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is advocating for additional funding for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services to address the dire conditions. Majome stressed the importance of treating all human beings with dignity, regardless of their circumstances. “Migration is a phenomenon of human beings and must be done legally, but if it is not, human rights must still be upheld,” she said.

The plight of these South African nationals highlights the need for international prisoner transfer treaties, which would allow prisoners to serve their sentences in their home country. Organizations like Baagi Ba South Africa are pushing for such agreements, citing the benefits of rehabilitation and family support. As Majome noted, “This is not a new thing… What is important is to always remember the humanity and the equality of all human beings wherever they are.”