Tinotenda Hove – The Government of Zimbabwe has officially declared that it will not provide medical assistance to its citizens living in the diaspora, including the thousands based in neighbouring South Africa, citing strained financial resources.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi made the position clear while responding to a question raised by Mbizo Member of Parliament Corban Madzivanyika (CCC). The MP had inquired whether the government would consider assisting Zimbabweans abroad, particularly those facing mounting difficulties in accessing public healthcare in countries like South Africa.

Ziyambi was unequivocal in his reply.

“Our focus right now is on developing a National Health Insurance scheme for Zimbabweans within the country,” he said. “Charity begins at home.”

He stressed that extending healthcare services to citizens who migrated voluntarily is not currently under consideration.

“If people go abroad to work, the Minister of Finance, as he will be presenting his budget, says we have remittances from the diaspora of such and such amount,” Ziyambi explained. “He is not simply saying the funds are directed to the Government’s coffers. What he is simply saying is that the foreign currency that is being brought in is for foreign direct supply.”

The minister went on to clarify that while diaspora remittances play a significant role in Zimbabwe’s economy, they are not government-managed and cannot be redirected to provide healthcare support for Zimbabweans outside the country.

“Whenever we will be doing the exchange rate, we ensure that we can buy goods from abroad,” he said, indicating the importance of remittances in facilitating imports rather than public services.

His comments come amid growing concern in South Africa, where foreign nationals — including many Zimbabweans — are being denied access to public hospitals and pressured to turn to costly private healthcare services.

Ziyambi’s remarks have sparked criticism from rights organisations and members of the diaspora, who argue that while the government reaps the benefits of billions in remittances, it fails to support the basic needs of its citizens abroad.

Despite the backlash, the Mnangagwa administration has stood firm, reiterating that unless financial conditions improve, government-sponsored healthcare will remain limited to those living within Zimbabwe’s borders.