The Government of Zimbabwe says it has intensified the evacuation of more than 1 000 Zimbabwean nationals returning from South Africa who are still undergoing processes at various repatriation centres.
Authorities say buses are transporting returnees from several South African cities to the Beitbridge Border Post, where hundreds more are awaiting clearance before travelling to their final destinations in Zimbabwe.
The government said it is also covering the full cost of the repatriation exercise.
The Department of Presidential Communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet said the Epping Repatriation Centre in Cape Town still has about 1 000 Zimbabweans awaiting processing before they are transported home.
On this topic
“Epping Repatriation Centre still has some 1 000 Zimbabweans who will be ferried home once their processing is complete. Buses are already available for the purpose,” said a statement signed by presidential spokesperson George Charamba.
Charamba said three buses carrying returnees had left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post while two additional buses had departed Cape Town for Johannesburg to speed up the processing of returnees.
“Once processed, the buses will make their way to the Beitbridge Border Post,” he said.
The department also said two buses from Port Elizabeth were already travelling to the Beitbridge Border Post while in Johannesburg, 11 buses were on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery.
Charamba added that another five buses had been deployed at Power House bus station in Johannesburg.
The department also provided an update on operations involving Durban and other areas.
“Five more buses are stationed at Power House in Johannesburg where a further 300 Zimbabweans are being processed. 12 buses from different set-off points, including Durban, left Johannesburg last night for the Zimbabwe/South Africa border ports of Beitbridge/Musina,” said the presidential spokesperson.
On funding, the Government said it was meeting the full cost of the evacuation programme.It said all buses transporting returnees had been provided by the Government.
“All these far-flung relocation operations are being wholly funded by the government of Zimbabwe. Government of Zimbabwe has availed all buses on which Zimbabwean returnees are travelling,” Charamba said, noting embassy personnel had been reassigned to facilitate the evacuation exercise.
“All staff manning the Zimbabwe Embassy and its Consulates have been redeployed to facilitate the evacuation of all citizens willing to come back home. The Government is thankful to spouses of Embassy Staff who have also volunteered their services to the same end.”
He further acknowledged the support of international partners, stating bilateral cooperation had remained strong throughout the exercise
“The government wishes to register its appreciation to all United Nations Agencies for assisting with the evacuation process. Cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Government of South Africa remains excellent and empathetic,” Charamba said.
“The government is ready to come to the assistance of all Zimbabweans wishing to come back home. Above all, the Government assures returning citizens that they will be assisted to re-integrate into their respective communities in Zimbabwe.”
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