Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
GOVERNMENT has established reception centres across the country to support the smooth reintegration of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The centres, established through a partnership between Government and the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOD), provide food, healthcare, welfare support and transport assistance to help returnees reintegrate into their communities.
The facilities are stocked with essential supplies, while churches and community members assist with preparing meals and providing other services to ensure returnees are treated with dignity before travelling to their final destinations.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Judith Ncube, said the system has been operating efficiently.
“As the government, we are working with churches to ensure that we receive and treat our returnees with dignity. They are given toiletries and hot meals, while community members and churches have volunteered to cook and clean. Most returnees travel to their destinations on the same day, and only a few spend the night here. We have never been overwhelmed.”
The Njube Reception Centre in Bulawayo has so far assisted more than 600 returnees, with church denominations taking turns to prepare meals around the clock.
A church volunteer said:
“We prepare hot meals for returnees, with a morning and an evening service.”
Another volunteer added:
“Churches take turns to prepare food, and in most cases we bring groceries donated by our congregations.”
For 22-year-old mother of two Sisasenkosi Sibanda, the support has eased her return home.
“I cannot thank the government enough. We have been given food, toiletries and constant support. I arrived this morning and am now waiting for a bus to take me to Plumtree.”
Churches are also providing psychosocial support to help returnees adjust after their experiences abroad.
Leader of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, Bishop Lazarus Khanye, said:
“As the church, we do not only provide food. We also offer psychosocial support because many returnees have been through difficult experiences. Supporting their social and mental wellbeing is essential for successful reintegration.”
Government says the reception centres have become more than transit facilities, serving as an important first step in restoring dignity and supporting the successful reintegration of returning Zimbabweans.
