Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
THE Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services has commended the Government for its swift and coordinated response in repatriating Zimbabweans affected by anti-migrant unrest in South Africa, while helping returnees bring their property into the country duty-free.
The Government is also facilitating the reintegration of returnees’ children into the education system and extending social protection services to affected families.
The committee yesterday conducted a verification exercise in Beitbridge following the mass return of Zimbabweans during the height of anti-migrant protests in South Africa.
In response to the unrest and rising xenophobic tensions, the Government launched coordinated repatriation and support operations to facilitate the safe return of thousands of Zimbabwean citizens.
Inter-ministerial teams were deployed, transport logistics arranged and transit and processing facilities established at the Beitbridge Border Post.
Through the Department of Civil Protection under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Government is working with the private sector, humanitarian organisations, development partners, non-governmental organisations and churches to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens.
The intervention follows the displacement of thousands of foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, in parts of South Africa amid renewed anti-immigrant campaigns by pressure groups such as the “March and March” movement.
The joint parliamentary delegation, led by committee co-chairpersons Exevia Maoneke (Chivi Central) and Senator Irene Zindi (Manicaland), toured the Beitbridge Border Post and the Government-run Reception and Support Centre to assess reception and processing systems, as well as support mechanisms for returnees.
The delegation was received by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, alongside senior Government officials, security services and border management agencies.
“We appreciate the efforts by the Government in bringing home Zimbabweans who are affected by xenophobia in South Africa. From what we have been briefed and seen here on the ground, we are impressed by the coordination by all arms of Government and its partners,” said Maoneke.
“The border also serves as a transit point for Zambians and Malawians returning to their countries by road, and we have heard that our civil servants did a great job in facilitating that transition.
“Basically, we were here on a fact-finding mission as a joint committee from the lower and upper house on peace and security issues, to gather information on whether, as a Government, we were able and capable of receiving our fellow nationals from South Africa who were fleeing xenophobic and targeted attacks on migrants in that country.”
Maoneke said legislators also sought to establish whether adequate security measures were in place to screen returnees before re-entry and whether key public services were available at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
The delegation also engaged with returnees to understand their experiences and their plans as the reintegration process continues.
Maoneke said the committee had received positive reports from the Departments of Home Affairs, the Registrar-General’s Office, Health Services, Border Management, Logistics and Transport.
“We thank the Government for the whole-of-government approach that saw people receiving services, which are key in a situation like the one we have seen now,” he said.
Co-chairperson Senator Zindi said the scale of the operation was unprecedented, but had been handled efficiently.
“Looking at the numbers of the returnees that came back at the same time, we appreciate the dignity brought about to our fellow countrymen. There was a whole lot of work our civil servants did to ensure all services were at the disposal of the Zimbabweans. People did not anticipate such multitudes of people, and as Parliament, we appreciate that the services were splendid. During the presentations we learnt a lot about the operations here and the coordination across the ministries,” she said.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer for Beitbridge, Mr Lucky Matyora, presented statistics on movements through the border post. He said the Government had so far assisted 42 343 Zimbabweans to return home, while a further 129 117 had returned independently.
Mr Matyora said the department had also facilitated the transit of 86 969 Malawian nationals through Beitbridge on their way home.
“During the same period we facilitated the return of 8 944 male minors, and 9 405 female minors, while another 19 948 minors returned independently with their parents,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said Government, working with humanitarian partners, had established reception centres providing meals, water, medical screening, temporary accommodation and onward transport for returnees.
“We received our people under difficult circumstances, but as Government we moved swiftly to ensure no one was stranded. The border teams worked day and night. In the long run, we need to upgrade this reception centre permanently because issues like deportations and recurrent anti-migrant tensions are endless. This centre has facilitated such services in previous years, and hence it must have adequate facilities so that we don’t always wait for help from headquarters; we should be permanently prepared,” he said.
Beitbridge Reception Centre Superintendent Miss Nobuhle Ncube said the facility was operating under pressure but continued to cope with demand.
“The centre has a carrying capacity of 1 000 people in transit daily and hence the need to upgrade it to absorb increased pressure at any given time. We offer several social protection services working with other Government agencies. So, we need to create a permanent one-stop shop here,” she said.
Beitbridge District Medical Officer Dr Lenos Samhere said health teams had attended to thousands of people at the centre’s clinic.
“Most of the patients sought help to manage hypertension issues, family planning, ARV resupply, headache, and upper respiratory tract issues. So, we mobilised resources from our hospital and partners.”
