Zimbabwe owes SAA more than R900 million: Why South Africa cannot get its money back

South Africa is relying on diplomatic negotiations to recover more than R900 million owed to South African Airways (SAA) by Zimbabwe, with no clear timeline for the outstanding debt to be settled.

The long-running dispute has raised questions about the government’s ability to recover money owed by foreign countries, particularly as SAA continues to face financial challenges.

According to Parliament of South Africa, Zimbabwe owes the national carrier approximately R1 billion in ticket-sale revenue from flights operating to and from the country.

The Standing Committee on Appropriations raised concerns about the debt following a briefing by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in October 2026.

Why Zimbabwe owes SAA millions

As reported by EWN the debt relates to ticket sales on SAA’s Harare and Victoria Falls routes.

The money accumulated as Zimbabwe experienced foreign currency shortages, restricting the airline’s ability to transfer its earnings out of the country.

In October 2024, SAA told Parliament that it was struggling to repatriate more than $50 million held in Zimbabwe.

At the time, the airline said Zimbabwe had proposed quarterly payments of $1 million towards the outstanding balance, while certain funds would be retained in the country to cover local operating expenses.

SAA rejected the proposed repayment arrangement, which would have taken more than 16 years to clear a debt of approximately $50 million through quarterly instalments alone.

However, a parliamentary report published in June 2026 indicated that Zimbabwe had subsequently made arrangements to pay $1 million per month, with the last payment advice received in March 2026.

Why South Africa cannot force Zimbabwe to repay SAA

DIRCO has been facilitating negotiations between South African and Zimbabwean officials through the countries’ Bi-National Commission.

Chief Director Nyameka Goso told MPs that Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola had written letters and convened ministerial meetings to secure repayment agreements.

However, she acknowledged that implementing agreements can be difficult, particularly when political changes in other countries affect commitments already made.

DIRCO’s role is largely to facilitate diplomatic engagement, while decisions on further action rest with the relevant political authorities.

Committee chairperson Mmusi Maimane questioned whether years of diplomatic engagement would deliver the money, calling for stronger mechanisms to deal with countries that fail to honour repayment commitments.

SAA debt forms part of a wider problem

SAA is not the only airline affected by blocked revenue.

The International Air Transport Association reported that airlines had $67 million in funds blocked in Zimbabwe at the end of October 2025.

Worldwide, governments were withholding $1.2 billion in airline funds, with 93% of the total concentrated in Africa and the Middle East.

The unresolved debt also highlights the challenges facing South African businesses seeking to repatriate money from other countries.

For now, diplomatic negotiations remain central to South Africa’s recovery efforts, while the outstanding SAA debt continues to raise questions about when the airline will receive its money.