Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
GOVERNMENT expects the ongoing profiling and reintegration of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa to unlock new employment and production opportunities as some of the returning citizens possess valuable skills and capital to start businesses that would contribute to national growth.
Working closely with stakeholders, the Government is already seized with profiling the skills of returnees for entrepreneurship support as part of a wider national programme to reintegrate citizens displaced by anti-migrant violence in the neighbouring country.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 11th Annual Symposium for chairpersons, councillors and general secretaries in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar
Moyo said an inter-ministerial committee was coordinating the returnees’ reintegration, with skills profiling already underway to identify employment opportunities in Government, industry and other sectors.
“We ascertain how many women, men and children are returning, but first and foremost we are providing them with basic necessities such as food, clothing and other essential support,” he said.
“We are working as an inter-ministerial committee on repatriation, while the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is providing transport to take the returnees to their rural homes and home districts.
“Those who no longer have relatives or people they know are assisted to trace their families. We work with village heads and chiefs to help reunite them with their relatives.”
Minister Moyo said children were receiving specialised support through various Government ministries.
“For children, we are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure they undergo health screening, while the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education assesses their educational levels so that they can be integrated into the education system,” he said.
Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, the Government is also assessing the professional skills and experience of returnees to facilitate their economic reintegration.
Minister Moyo said many returnees possess valuable skills, qualifications and investments accumulated while living in South Africa.
“It’s not a correct narrative that all returnees are desperate and don’t know where to start. Some have properties and investments, while the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and
Investment Promotion is working with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to facilitate their return,” he said.
He said Government had introduced measures to ease the relocation process.
“For example, each family is allowed to bring one vehicle into the country duty-free. Those with household property can bring as much as they can transport.
“Those who left in a hurry without transport can dispose of their property there and acquire new household goods after settling back home,” he said.
Minister Moyo urged returnees to actively participate in community development initiatives and use their acquired skills to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
“We cannot promise employment to everyone, but those with different skills should not only seek jobs but also create employment opportunities using the expertise they acquired,” he said.
“Those who have equipment they were using for their businesses in South Africa should bring it into the country and continue production locally to contribute to economic growth.”
The reintegration programme is part of the Government’s coordinated response to the influx of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa following recent anti-migrant violence, with several ministries working together to provide humanitarian assistance, documentation, health services, education and long-term economic support.
