South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) has yet to recover about ZAR1 billion rands (USD60 million) in ticket sales revenue trapped in Zimbabwe, despite diplomatic efforts spanning several years, it emerged from an August 25, 2026, parliamentary briefing.

The amount forms part of ZAR1.4 billion (USD87 million) in foreign debts, according to the briefing by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to the parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations.

Newzroom Afrika television reported that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa had discussed the matter.

SAA's trapped funds in Zimbabwe stem from ticket sales accumulated over the past decade that SAA has been unable to repatriate because of Zimbabwe's foreign exchange and liquidity constraints. A repayment plan agreed around 2020, under which Zimbabwe would pay USD1 million every quarter, failed to materialise, with no repayments made to date. The airline has since fully impaired the debt on its balance sheet after concluding that recovery is unlikely.

The dispute has been complicated by Zimbabwean claims that SAA owed USD2.4 million in unpaid meteorological weather service fees. Although SAA sought to offset the amount against the larger debt, Zimbabwean courts ordered the airline to pay the fees. The carrier paid half the amount and instructed authorities to deduct the rest from the outstanding debt.

Approached for comment, SAA spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said: "Given the nature and complexity of the matter, it has been elevated to the appropriate government authorities and is currently being addressed through established bilateral government-to-government processes. At this stage, we have no further comment to add."