adminSunday Mail Reporter
At least 414 out of the 734 Zimbabweans who were in Botswana as refugees have been repatriated to Zimbabwe in the past three months after volunteering to return home. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry spokesperson Mrs Constance Chemwayi said the latest returnees arrived in the country last month.
Prior to last month’s arrivals, 373 nationals had been assisted by Government to return home since December.
“The third phase of the exercise from 17 to 21 February 2020 saw the return of 41 Zimbabwe nationals, thus bringing the total Zimbabwean nationals voluntarily repatriated from Botswana to 414,” said Mrs Chemwayi.
“However, the exercise to repatriate the remaining lot has temporarily stalled as UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Botswana has indicated it needed to carry out a refugee status determination first.”
Mrs Chemwayi said those repatriated would be monitored by the Department of Social Services for six months to make sure they are reintegrated into society.
Upon return, the nationals are given food hampers worth US$300 each and assisted to process identity documents if they do not have any.
Online Reporter