THE Zimbabwean Government has deployed teams across South Africa to register citizens who wish to return home following xenophobic attacks and threats targetin...
THE Zimbabwean Government has deployed teams across South Africa to register citizens who wish to return home following xenophobic attacks and threats targeting migrants in some parts of the country.
Authorities say 139 Zimbabweans have already been repatriated through the Beitbridge Border Post after fleeing the violence. Government has also made available enough buses to transport more citizens who choose to return before the end of the month.
Advertisement
A third bus carrying 62 passengers departed KwaZulu-Natal at around 4pm yesterday and was expected to arrive at Beitbridge Border Post at approximately 2am today.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said registration and profiling of Zimbabweans seeking voluntary repatriation is underway through the Zimbabwe Embassy and consular offices in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Speaking in an interview, the ministry’s Director of Public Diplomacy, Communication and Advocacy, Mrs Philisiwe Chidawanyika, said Government teams had been deployed to assist citizens across South Africa.
“The Government has deployed teams across South Africa to register its citizens who are willing to come back home,” she said.
“These people will be ferried by buses either today or tomorrow to ensure their safe travel back home. A third bus left South Africa yesterday at 4pm and is expected to arrive at Beitbridge Border Post at 2am. Our embassy is working on processing the necessary profiling so that they can allocate the required buses.”
Mrs Chidawanyika said embassy officials in Pretoria and Cape Town were currently profiling many Zimbabweans who had expressed a desire to return home due to growing safety concerns.
“Our embassies will remain open to assist our citizens,” she said. “Two buses have already crossed over. More are expected, and the number of buses will be determined as more Zimbabweans approach the embassy and consulates for assistance.”
She urged Zimbabweans who wish to return home to contact the embassy or consular offices so that travel arrangements can be made.
Mrs Chidawanyika said the Government remains committed to protecting the welfare of Zimbabweans living abroad through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and its diplomatic missions, in line with Section 35 of the Constitution.
“Our embassies in the region are in contact with Zimbabweans who have registered their presence and are ready to assist with repatriation should this be deemed necessary,” she said.
“Zimbabweans living abroad continue to be urged to register their presence with the nearest embassy or consulate of Zimbabwe to facilitate communication and timely sharing of important information.”
Embassy officials in South Africa continue to document and assist Zimbabweans seeking voluntary repatriation as the programme progresses.
The ongoing repatriation exercise forms part of Government efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Zimbabwean citizens living abroad while providing support to those affected by recent unrest in South Africa.
