Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda [email protected]
AN Inter-Ministerial Committee and a 24-hour Command Centre have been established at Beitbridge Border Post with 50 ZUPCO buses deployed to facilitate smooth repatriation and reintegration of thousands of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The measures form part of a ‘Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach’ adopted to ensure safe, orderly and dignified return of citizens.
The repatriation programme follows the displacement of Zimbabwean nationals in parts of South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks by vigilante groups in the neighbouring country.
Presenting an update on the repatriation and reintegration programme, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Inter-Ministerial Committee, stationed at the Beitbridge Reception Centre, is overseeing the reception, registration and transportation of returnees.
The committee is working alongside a 24-hour Inter-Ministerial Command Centre established at Beitbridge Border Post to coordinate the national response.
In the post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said Government has put in place comprehensive interventions to manage the influx of returning citizens.
“The nation is advised that a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach has been adopted for the repatriation and re-integration exercise as well as in-country coordination arrangements in order to facilitate safe, orderly and dignified movement of Zimbabweans from the diaspora,” he said
“To that end, an Inter-Ministerial Committee was established at the Beitbridge Reception Centre to oversee the receiving, registration and transportation of the returnees and a wide range of interventions are being implemented to facilitate the repatriation and re-integration exercise, including the establishment of an Inter-ministerial 24-hour Command Centre at Beitbridge Border Post to coordinate the response.”
Dr Soda said Government has deployed 50 Zupco buses to transport returnees from the Beitbridge Reception Centre to their respective provinces as part of efforts to ease movement and ensure an orderly relocation process.
At the reception centre, returnees are receiving registration, profiling, screening, social protection, psychosocial support and reintegration services before being transferred to receiving district centres across the country.
Government has also established temporary accommodation facilities, a temporary clinic and deployed ambulances to cater for emergency medical cases. Mobile ablution facilities have also been hired to improve sanitation services, while resource mobilisation efforts are continuing to sustain transportation, reception and reintegration operations.
Dr Soda said the private sector, United Nations agencies, development partners and other well-wishers were complementing Government’s efforts in supporting the repatriation exercise.
Since the exercise began on May 28, a total of 21 291 Zimbabweans have been repatriated through Government-assisted arrangements, while an estimated 56 832 have returned through self-repatriation mechanisms.
Dr Soda said Malawian nationals who had been stranded in Dulivhadzimu suburb in Beitbridge have since been successfully repatriated through the intervention of the relevant diplomatic mission.
In his address at the burial of the late National Hero Major General (Rtd) Everisto Dzihwema on Monday, President Mnangagwa said all returning Zimbabweans will be received with open arms.
He also urged returnees to take part in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to build, modernise, industrialise and develop the country, pursuant to the attainment of Vision 2030.
The President commended community members along the transit route, including in Matabeleland South and Masvingo Provinces, for demonstrating acts of kindness towards those going back to their countries of origin, including Malawi, saying the conduct aligns with the warm and hospitable character traits Zimbabweans are known for.
Last week, President Mnangagwa also directed the Civil Registry Department to prioritise Zimbabweans returning from South Africa who require identity documents, as the Government steps up efforts to facilitate their smooth reintegration into society.
He also directed schools across the country to accommodate children returning with their families, ensuring that their education is not disrupted.
To ease the financial burden associated with relocation, Government has also introduced a special package of customs concessions under the immigrants’ rebate of duty scheme.
Treasury extended concessions previously available to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders to qualifying returnees, subject to verification procedures designed to prevent abuse of the facility.
Under the arrangement, each qualifying returnee will be allowed to import one motor vehicle under suspension of customs duty, although Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain payable. He said the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) would apply flexible valuation methods to lessen the VAT burden on beneficiaries.
Government has also relaxed arrival timelines to ensure returnees have adequate time to clear their goods and complete the necessary importation processes.
