Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
GOVERNMENT has moved to assist Zimbabweans affected by xenophobia-motivated attacks in South Africa, with the first group of 74 returnees arriving in the country through Beitbridge Border Post on Sunday morning.
The group was repatriated through the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria after spending nearly two weeks under police protection at the municipal hall in Mossel Bay, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province.
They arrived aboard a single bus carrying 49 adults and 25 accompanied children.
The returnees are destined for Chegutu, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Sanyati, Masvingo and several other towns across the country.
The group was received at the border by officials from the Department of Social Development, Immigration and other Government agencies.
Authorities said the returnees would undergo counselling and receive psychosocial support, food assistance and transport support before being taken to their respective homes.
“The process ensures everyone arriving is assessed and provided with social support to help them reintegrate with their families and communities,” a Department of Social Development official said.
The returnees also received hygiene kits for men and women, as well as Non-Food Item (NFI) kits from the
International Organisation for Migration (IOM), comprising five plates, five mugs, kitchen knives, spoons, pots, mosquito nets, water buckets, water purification tablets, washing and bathing soap, and bags.
The repatriation comes amid protests and attacks on migrants in parts of South Africa, with Mossel Bay among the areas that have recorded violence targeting foreign nationals.
In separate interviews, some of the returnees said they watched helplessly as their property and rented accommodation were burnt by local residents.
Most commended the Government for responding swiftly to their distress calls and assisting them with transport back to Zimbabwe.
“I want to thank the Government for coming to the rescue of its citizens through its Embassy. The situation in Mossel Bay is very tense and we saw some houses being burnt down by South African mobs who are fighting migrants regardless of their immigration status,” said truck driver Mr Elijah Chikwenya, who was travelling to Harare.
“The situation on that side is very bad, I had to escape to safety with my two children aged 10 years and six years and hide at a local municipality hall that was being guarded by the police.”
Another returnee, Miss Theresa Sibanda, said she had been working as a domestic worker using a valid passport for the past three years before being forced to flee after protesters allegedly gave her family an ultimatum to leave their rented home within an hour.
“The mob stormed our house and gave us one hour to pack and leave. For our safety, we complied and carried a few items and sought refuge at a local council hall where we stayed for three days before being assisted by officials from our embassy,” said Miss Sibanda.
Last week, South Africa activated its National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to address violent protests that have reportedly left several migrants dead, injured and displaced.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa has issued a safety advisory urging nationals to remain vigilant amid continuing unrest.
The Embassy advised Zimbabweans to avoid areas affected by unrest, carry identification documents at all times and report any threats or incidents to the nearest police station or Zimbabwean mission.
Beitbridge, Zimbabwe’s busiest inland port and a key gateway along the North-South Corridor, has over the years received several groups of returnees during periods of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The Zimbabwe Exiles’ Forum (ZEF) has also urged Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa to remain vigilant following reports of violent protests targeting foreign nationals, while commending the Zimbabwe Embassy for issuing a timely advisory note.
“We encourage our fellow countrymen to stay safe. They should avoid groups and marchers. In addition, they need to attend to their immigration status in this country.”
