Story by Providence Maraneli
THE government has assisted more than 9,200 Zimbabweans returning from South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post, with authorities providing transport, medical services and other support to facilitate their reintegration.
Figures from the Beitbridge Reception Centre show that 9,237 Zimbabweans have been repatriated under the government-assisted programme following the displacement of Zimbabwean and other African nationals in South Africa.
The repatriation exercise includes the provision of buses to transport returnees to their final destinations, with more than 15 buses currently deployed for the operation.
Returning citizens are also receiving free meals and medical services at the reception centre as part of efforts to ensure a dignified repatriation process.
Beitbridge District Development Coordinator, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu said the operation was progressing smoothly, with adequate facilities in place for vulnerable groups.
“As of today, we have repatriated 9237 citizens, and we have buses that are ferrying citizens after they are registered; we have made the area habitable for children and women. We can safely tell you, as the Civil Protection Committee, that we are on top of the situation.”
Regional Immigration Officer, Mr Joshua Chibundu said immigration authorities had processed both self-repatriated and government-assisted returnees since the operation began.
“From May 28 up to date, we have actually cleared 47 252 people, but those are self-repatriated, and then we have also had to clear 9 221 under the government-assisted repatriation. We have also had Malawians come in, and we have cleared an average of 20 buses.”
As part of the support measures, the government has also introduced flexible customs arrangements, allowing returning citizens to bring household furniture, utensils and clothing from South Africa into Zimbabwe duty-free.
