Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government, through the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), is helping Zimbabweans affected by anti-migrant protests in South Africa to bring their household goods and tools of trade home duty-free, as part of a broader whole-of-government drive to ensure smooth reintegration.
This was said by Zimra’s Private Imports Manager at Beitbridge, Mr Tawanda Muchena, during a visit to the border post on Monday by the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services for a verification visit on the repatriation exercise.
Mr Muchena told the Parliamentarians that a flexible customs regime had been put in place.
“We have created an express lane whereby they arrive through the bus terminal, and the compliance checks are done at the reception and support centre.
“In addition, statutory fees for buses and trucks bringing goods for returnees have been waived to allow a seamless flow of cargo for the returnees. We coordinate with the consulate; they write a letter with a manifest of goods and owners. We haven’t had challenges.”
On vehicles, Mr Muchena said: “For vehicles, the returnee should have been out of the country for at least two years, and the vehicle should have been owned by them six months before their return. This should be evident on the vehicle registration book. On statutory fees, Zimborders Consortium has also waived border user fees for vehicles carrying such cargo.”
Mr Muchena said ZIMRA had cleared business equipment returning with migrants and that those bringing commercial vehicles through the returning residents facility, the vehicles should not exceed a gross weight of five tonnes.
“We have been receiving and clearing equipment some Zimbabweans were using in their businesses in South Africa. Most of the equipment included welding machines, heavy industrial sewing machines, building tools, among others. Zimra is open to assist returnees in line with the Government directive,” he said.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said the duty-free facilitation followed reports that many people left South Africa in a rush.
“The move to have trucks assisted by the government came after it emerged that most people leaving SA in a haste were leaving valuables, and hence the move to help them bring back their properties duty-free,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He commended the inter-ministerial committee on repatriation for adopting a whole-of-government approach in coordinating activities.
Other line agencies said they were also complying with the President’s directive.
Deputy Registrar-General, Mr Ben Mpala, said his department had prioritised documentation.
“We had attended to 4 167 people, sharing key information on civil documents registration and issued 19 national IDs and 361 external birth certificates, while others sought general information. We are working in coordination with Foreign Affairs and Immigration authorities,” said Mr Mpala.
The committee chairperson, Cde Exevia Maoneke, said they would report to Parliament on gaps and recommend further support for returnees settling back in communities.
