Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Government has intensified efforts to repatriate Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa, deploying dozens of buses to transport returnees from major cities to the Beitbridge Border Post as authorities scale up the evacuation exercise.
In an update released on Tuesday, the Department of Presidential Communications said hundreds of Zimbabweans were being processed at various collection centres in South Africa, while more buses had been dispatched to facilitate their return home.
Three buses carrying returnees have already left Cape Town for Beitbridge, while two others travelled from Cape Town to Johannesburg to collect more Zimbabweans before heading to the border.
The department said about 1 000 Zimbabweans remain at the Epping Repatriation Centre in Cape Town awaiting completion of processing before being transported home.
“Three buses have already departed Cape Town for Beitbridge Border Post while two buses have left Cape Town for Johannesburg for quicker processing before onward movement. Epping Repatriation Centre still has some 1 000 Zimbabweans who will be ferried home once their processing is complete. Buses are already available for the purpose,” reads the statement.
Two buses from Port Elizabeth are also on their way to Beitbridge. In Johannesburg, 11 buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery, where about 600 Zimbabweans are undergoing processing before departure.
Another five buses have been stationed at Power House in Johannesburg to transport an additional 300 Zimbabweans after documentation is completed.
Government said 12 buses also departed Johannesburg on Monday night from various pick-up points, including Durban, for the Beitbridge-Musina Border Post.
The department said the repatriation programme is being fully funded by the Government of Zimbabwe.
“All these far-flung relocation operations are being wholly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe, which has availed all buses on which Zimbabwean returnees are travelling,” read the statement.
The department said all staff at Zimbabwe’s embassy and consulates in South Africa have been redeployed to support the operation, with spouses of embassy officials volunteering to assist.
The Government also acknowledged support from United Nations agencies and praised the cooperation of the South African Government.
“Cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Government of South Africa remains excellent and empathetic,” read the statement.
Government said it remains committed to assisting all Zimbabweans wishing to return home and pledged to support their reintegration into communities upon arrival.
The repatriation exercise comes as Zimbabwe moves to assist citizens affected by recent developments in South Africa, with authorities assuring that evacuation and reintegration efforts will continue until all those wishing to return have been assisted.
