The Government says Zimbabweans returning from South Africa will not receive a dedicated assistance package, with families instead expected to access existing social welfare programmes available to all vulnerable citizens.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, standing in for the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, said the Government’s policy was to reintegrate returning Zimbabweans into their home communities rather than establish separate support schemes.
His remarks came after Pumula legislator Sichelesile Mahlangu asked what measures had been put in place to help families pay school fees and buy learning materials following the Government’s directive that children arriving from South Africa should be enrolled in school without unnecessary barriers.
“My question is directed to the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. Firstly, I would like to thank the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which made a statement to the fact that those of our relatives who brought children with them from South Africa, those children should be enrolled without any questions being asked.
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“Now, turning to the Ministry of Social Welfare, what measures have you implemented regarding the payment of fees and provision of books for children? It has been stated that all children should be enrolled in school, yet there are concerns that some may not be. What steps are being taken to ensure that every child has access to education?” Mahlangu asked.
Ziyambi said Zimbabweans arriving from South Africa were registered before returning to their communities, where they could apply for the same government assistance available to other vulnerable households.
“The position of Government is that all those coming back are registered, then directed to go to their homes, where they must fit into the community they used to be,” he said.
“Therefore, if you have children and you need assistance, then you follow the normal route that is being followed by anyone in that particular locality and make your application for BEAM assistance.”
He said families requiring additional support should approach Social Welfare offices or District Development Coordinator (DDC) offices.
“If you need any other assistance, approach our offices, be it Social Welfare or the DDC office for assistance, but we are not coming up with a special programme. We have general programmes to assist our citizens who are coming back,” Ziyambi said.
He added that while every child should be admitted to school, financial assistance would continue to be assessed through existing social protection programmes.
“We must not always make the assumption that every person coming back needs school fees assistance. Those who need assistance should go through the normal system that we have in our administrative districts,” he said.
The discussion widened when Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda questioned what support was available beyond education.
“When the Minister responded, he focused on the children, leaving out how parents could be assisted to take care of their children. You mentioned that the Government will assist in education; what about food, blankets and shelter?
“There are parents who have come from South Africa with their children. What are you going to help them with? What help are they getting to access food and have proper shelter?” Bonda asked.
Ziyambi reiterated that affected families would be assisted through existing government programmes rather than a dedicated relief package.
He also said the Government was facilitating access to civil documentation needed to enrol children in school and obtain other public services.
“All our children, when they come, whether they were born in South Africa or even adults who have lost their documentation, the Registrar General is issuing documentation,” he said.
“If there are children born to Zimbabwean parents in South Africa, they can go to their village and they are easily identifiable. The Registrar’s Office will issue birth certificates so that learners can go to school.”
However, concerns were raised over reports that some people had allegedly been charged US$15 for birth certificates or national identity documents.
A legislator urged the Government to suspend any such charges to ensure children could obtain the documents required for school enrolment without delay.
Responding, Ziyambi said Government policy was that Zimbabweans returning from outside the country should receive the necessary documents without being charged.
“The Government is saying that all those coming back are being assisted to get documents. We have not heard anyone who has been denied access to get an identification card, especially those coming from outside the country, and asked to pay US$15,” he said.
“If there is someone who knows where it is happening, supply us with that information so that we can rectify that quickly. The Government did not say that those coming from outside the country are supposed to pay.”
The debate comes as Zimbabwe continues to receive citizens returning from South Africa following recent immigration enforcement operations. Lawmakers have sought assurances that affected families can access education, civil registration and other essential services while questioning whether existing social protection programmes are sufficient to meet their needs.
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