South Africa and Zimbabwe have agreed on a framework that will allow eligible sentenced offenders to serve the remainder of their prison terms in their countries of origin, marking a new step in cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
The agreement was signed during the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on 21 August 2026. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa co-chaired the session.
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About the agreement
According to The Citizen, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) says Zimbabwean nationals serving sentences in South Africa could eventually be transferred to Zimbabwe to complete their sentences. South African citizens imprisoned in Zimbabwe could be transferred to South Africa.
The arrangement is intended to strengthen cooperation in correctional services while allowing prisoners to serve their sentences closer to their families and support networks.
The agreement also provides for broader cooperation between the two countries’ correctional authorities, including the exchange of information, information-management systems, and initiatives aimed at providing prison self-sufficiency through agricultural and industrial production.
South Africa and Zimbabwe sign a deal to transfer prisoners amid overcrowding crisis….
The minister says it will be good since the offenders will be next their families and it will be easier for them to get visitation.
Do you think that inter-prision transfer will bring… pic.twitter.com/6drlnepkiI
— Nhlamu M (@NhlamuloNeay) August 25, 2026
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A response to overcrowding and rehabilitation
The agreement could help address pressure on correctional facilities and the cost of incarcerating foreign nationals. Pieter Groenewald’s Department of Correctional Services has previously said that many foreign offenders prefer to serve their sentences in their countries of origin because family and community support can contribute to rehabilitation.
Reducing the foreign-offender population could also ease pressure on South Africa’s correctional services budget.
The Citizen reports that the issue has been under discussion for several years. In a 2025 parliamentary briefing, the Department of Correctional Services said South Africa had initiated discussions with Zimbabwe and other SADC countries on the transfer of sentenced prisoners.
At the time, however, the absence of enabling South African legislation had prevented the process from being concluded.
Although the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for cooperation, actual prisoner transfers will depend on South Africa putting the necessary domestic legal framework in place.
The entire agreement also fits into a broader Southern African effort to facilitate the transfer of sentenced prisoners across borders.
South Africa, Zimbabwe sign prisoner transfer agreement
In order to reduce overcrowding in South African prisons and enable offenders to spend their sentences closer to their homes, South Africa and Zimbabwe have inked an agreement governing the interstate transfer of prisoners.… pic.twitter.com/ltOxXmkoCV
— Zimbabwe Today (@ZimbabweNhasi) August 23, 2026
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