Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has directed the Civil Registry Department to prioritise Zimbabweans returning from South Africa who require identity documents, as authorities step up efforts to facilitate their smooth reintegration into society.
Registrar General Mr Henry Machiri said registry offices across the country have been instructed to provide prompt assistance to returnees seeking identity documents, ensuring they are able to access essential services without unnecessary delays.
The move forms part of broader Government measures aimed at supporting Zimbabweans returning home and helping them settle back into their communities.
The Beitbridge District Registry has already deployed officials to the reception centre at the border post, where they are processing identity documents and providing guidance on procedures returnees should follow once they reach their respective home districts.
“All provincial and district registrars must assist Zimbabwean returnees from South Africa promptly and without delay when they visit our registry offices across the country. Our officers at the Beitbridge District Registry are already stationed at the Beitbridge reception centre assisting the returnees with document processing as well as information dissemination to guide them on how to proceed when they reach their destination districts,” said Mr Machiri.
Earlier this week, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said Government had activated a whole-of-Government response to support returning Zimbabweans, with several measures being implemented to ease their repatriation and reintegration.
He said, in line with directives from President Mnangagwa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade had mobilised logistics to support the repatriation programme, while additional personnel had been deployed to strengthen consular services.
“His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has directed resources towards ensuring the safe and dignified return of every Zimbabwean who wishes to come back home. In compliance with this directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ensured mobilisation of logistics around the repatriation of our affected nationals.
“Government has also deployed additional manpower to assist with the administration of the repatriation processes, ensuring that our consular services are adequately equipped to handle the scale of this operation,” said Minister Soda.
The minister acknowledged that some returnees had experienced delays in the repatriation process, but attributed the hold-ups to mandatory profiling procedures being conducted by South African authorities.
Minister Soda said the profiling exercise involves verifying personal details against South Africa’s national database to ascertain whether prospective returnees have outstanding criminal cases before they are cleared to leave the country.
“Until this process is complete, our citizens remain under South African jurisdiction. We understand the frustration and anxiety this causes, but we assure you that the Government of Zimbabwe is making every effort to navigate these bottlenecks. We are doing everything within our power to expedite the process and bring our people home as swiftly as possible.”
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.
Minister Soda said Treasury had extended concessions previously available to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit 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.
He said no import permit would be required for vehicles older than 10 years, provided they were purchased before December 31, 2022. Duty rebates will also apply to personal household property and commercial equipment acquired before the same date and used in business operations.
Government has also relaxed arrival timelines to ensure returnees have adequate time to clear their goods and complete the necessary importation processes.
Minister Soda, however, emphasised that the concessions would only apply to genuine returnees and would not cover newly acquired goods.
He further announced that President Mnangagwa had directed schools across the country to accommodate children returning with their families, ensuring that their education is not disrupted.
“All schools across Zimbabwe have been instructed to make every effort to absorb children of returnees who need access to education facilities within their catchment areas. No child shall be turned away. Every returning child deserves the opportunity to continue their learning and build a future in their homeland,” said Minister Soda.
