Colletta Dube
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
BULAWAYO South legislator and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, has donated assorted grocery items and 20 000 litres of water to the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) to support Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The groceries will be used to provide meals for returnees who are being temporarily accommodated at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in Njube suburb, Bulawayo, as Government and its partners continue efforts to ensure they are received in a safe and dignified manner.
Deputy Minister Modi donated 300kg of mealie meal, 100kg of rice, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and other grocery items to assist with feeding the returnees.
“President Mnangagwa called on Zimbabweans to come on board and partner Government in ensuring that our fellow citizens are given a dignified return home and this is my small way of making sure of that,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
He urged Zimbabweans from all walks of life to heed the President’s appeal by contributing whatever assistance they can to support the returnees.
“These people may be traumatised by the experience they may have gone through in South Africa, so we really need to show them love. Let us all assist in whatever way possible. I don’t think there is anything that will be said to be small,” he said.
Buses continue to ferry returnees into the country, with officials expecting another bus to arrive in Bulawayo later on Wednesday.
Upon arrival, returnees are profiled before receiving assistance, including replacement identification documents, medical care and other essential services.
Families with school-going children are also being issued with letters to facilitate their enrolment at schools of their choice as part of the Government’s reintegration programme.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi