Story by Aifheli Mudau
More than 70 Zimbabweans have been repatriated from South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post, as Government intensifies efforts to assist citizens wishing to return home amid reported security concerns in some parts of the neighbouring country.
The returnees expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing their safe return as a relief following tense conditions they say they experienced in South Africa.
“Where we are coming from, the situation is tense, and the community we were living in doesn’t consider whether you are documented or not. You are just told to go and, if you show them your documents proving that you are legal in that country, they tear the documents. But now we are safely home. We really applaud the Government for its effort,” said Miss Emilia Tochi from Mashava.
“The situation is not good where we are coming from in Mossel Bay. People are being beaten, and people are looting everything until we found refuge at the police station,” said Mr Teddius Masendeke from Mutoko.
“It was a matter of picking what you have and seeking refuge in safety halls. Now we feel safe here because we have a home,” said Miss Theresa Sibanda from Harare.
“I never knew the importance of government until I fell into this situation. That is where I realised that having a caring government is very important because we quickly got help to be safe at home,” said Mr Earnest Chamisa.
“It is so painful that I left my family there and now I do not know what to do,” said Mr Vengai Kangwari.
Government, working in collaboration with its development partners, provided immediate psychosocial support to the returnees upon arrival at Beitbridge, before facilitating their onward travel to their respective homes.
The repatriation exercise comes as several African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, undertake similar efforts to assist their nationals returning from South Africa.
Authorities say support mechanisms remain in place to ensure returning citizens are safely received and assisted as they reintegrate into their communities.
