Online Reporter
Harmony Agere
THE Government has deployed 35 buses to several South African cities to repatriate Zimbabweans wishing to return home, with some already on standby in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban as authorities scale up the evacuation efforts.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Department of Presidential Communications said buses had already departed from multiple locations.
The department said three buses carrying returnees had already left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post, while two more buses had travelled to Johannesburg to facilitate faster processing before proceeding to Beitbridge.
It added that about 1 000 Zimbabweans remained at the Epping Repatriation Centre awaiting completion of processing, with buses already available to transport them home.
The statement also said two buses were travelling from Port Elizabeth to the Beitbridge Border Post.
In Johannesburg, authorities have stationed 11 buses at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery, where about 600 Zimbabweans are being processed ahead of their departure, while another five buses have been deployed at Power House, where a further 300 people are undergoing processing.
“Three buses with returnees have left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post,” reads the statement.
“A further two buses left Cape Town for Johannesburg for speedier processing of returnees. Once processed, the buses will make their way to the Beitbridge Border Post.”
The department said preparations were also underway for those still awaiting clearance in Cape Town.
“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 are on their way from Port Elizabeth to Beitbridge Border Post.”
The statement said more buses had also been mobilised from Johannesburg and Durban.
“Eleven buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery where 600 Zimbabweans are being processed pending their departure for Zimbabwe soon after,” reads the statement.
“Five more buses are stationed at Power House in Johannesburg where a further 300 Zimbabweans are being processed.”
According to the department, 12 buses from different departure points, including Durban, left Johannesburg last night for the Zimbabwe-South Africa border posts of Beitbridge and Musina.
The Government said it was fully funding the evacuation programme and had redeployed embassy and consular staff to support the operation.
“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.
“Further, all staff manning the Zimbabwe Embassy and its Consulates have been redeployed to facilitate the evacuation of all citizens willing to come back home.”
The department also acknowledged the contribution of embassy staff families, United Nations agencies and the South African Government.
“Government is thankful to spouses of Embassy staff who have also volunteered their services to the same end. Equally, Government wishes to register its appreciation to all United Nations Agencies for assisting with the evacuation process. Cooperation between the Government of
Zimbabwe and the Government of South Africa remains excellent and empathetic,” reads the statement.
“Government is ready to come to the assistance of all Zimbabweans wishing to come back home. Above all, Government assures returning citizens that they will be assisted to re-integrate into their respective communities in Zimbabwe.”
Tinaye Agere