Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Government is mobilising additional resources to repatriate a further 3 000 Zimbabweans affected by recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa, as authorities maintain efforts to support returnees and facilitate their reintegration.
The latest group has already been processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade through Zimbabwe’s Embassy in South Africa and is awaiting Government-sponsored transport to return home.
Civil Protection Unit director for national disaster preparedness, coordination, risk management and humanitarian emergency responses, Mr Farai Hokonya, told the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on Monday that while the number of returnees arriving daily had started to decline, the inter-ministerial committee on returnees remained on high alert.
He said national-level operations had been scaled down, but all systems remained in place to ensure a dignified return for Zimbabweans.
“We have the health and WASH, protection services, border management, information and data, infrastructure, security, reintegration and resource mobilisation committees all working in unison and coordination to ensure a dignified return of Zimbabweans from South Africa,” said Mr Hokonya.
According to the Department of Immigration, about 129 000 Zimbabweans have returned home on their own, while nearly 45 000 have been evacuated through Government-facilitated transport and logistical support between May 28 and September 7.
Mr Hokonya said two Zimbabweans died during the repatriation process, one at the South African border and another in Chivhu.
Both were buried with Government assistance.
To assist those who fled South Africa in haste and left property behind, Government has deployed commercial trucks to transport their belongings back home.
As part of the civil protection response, authorities have also waived most duties and levies on household goods to allow returnees to bring their property home duty-free.
The duty-free facility was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) during a verification visit to Beitbridge Border Post by the parliamentary committee on Monday.
Zimra private imports manager at Beitbridge, Mr Tawanda Muchena, said a flexible customs regime had been implemented under a Whole-of-Government directive.
“We have been fully implementing a flexible customs regime as directed by the Government to ensure the returnees coming from South Africa at the height of anti-migrant protests,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Muchena said statutory fees for buses and trucks transporting returnees’ goods had been waived to facilitate the smooth movement of cargo.
Zimra works with the Zimbabwean Consulate, which provides manifests detailing the goods and their owners.
He said the returning residents’ facility also applied to motor vehicles, provided returnees had lived outside the country for at least two years and owned the vehicle for a minimum of six months before returning, as reflected in the registration documents.
Zimborders Consortium has also waived border user fees for vehicles carrying such cargo.
Mr Muchena said Zimra had been clearing business equipment belonging to returning Zimbabweans.
“We have been receiving and clearing equipment that 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 assisting returnees in line with the Government directive,” he said.
For commercial vehicles imported under the facility, the gross vehicle mass should not exceed five tonnes.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the duty-free measure followed reports that many Zimbabweans had abandoned valuable property while fleeing the unrest.
“The move to have trucks assisted by the Government came after it emerged that most people leaving South Africa in 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 for adopting a Whole-of-Government approach in coordinating the repatriation exercise.
Other Government agencies are also implementing President Mnangagwa’s directive on documentation and reintegration.
Deputy Registrar-General Mr Ben Mpala said civil registration services had been prioritised at the border.
“We had attended to 4 167 people, sharing key information on civil document 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,” he said.
Committee chairperson Cde Exevia Maoneke said legislators were on a fact-finding mission and would report to Parliament on any gaps identified, while recommending additional support measures for returnees as they resettle in their communities.
