BULAWAYO,Jun 30, (Newsday Live ) -Government says it has so far facilitated the repatriation of more than 3,600 Zimbabweans displaced by recent unrest in South Africa, with authorities pledging support for returnees through transport assistance, customs concessions and access to education.
In a statement Monday night, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Information minister Zhemu Soda said approximately 3 624 Zimbabwean nationals had been successfully returned home byJune 26, with more expected by end of this week as South Agrican vigilante pile pressure for foreigners to leave the country.
Soda said an interministerial team had been stationed at the Beitbridge border post to facilitate the processing of returnees and provide assistance on the ground.
“Government wishes to give an update on the ongoing repatriation of our compatriots affected by the current disturbances in South Africa,” he said.
He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed State resources towards ensuring the “safe and dignified return” of Zimbabweans wishing to come back home.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mobilised logistics for the repatriation exercise, while additional manpower had been deployed to support consular services handling the operation.
Authorities also addressed complaints over delays faced by some returnees at the Beitbridge Border Post.
The government attributed the delays to profiling procedures conducted by South African authorities, describing them as mandatory security checks to verify returnees' criminal records.
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“Until this process is complete, our citizens remain under South African jurisdiction,” Soda said, adding that Harare was working to expedite the process.
The government also announced special customs concessions for returnees under a temporary relief framework.
Under the measures, returnees may import one motor vehicle duty-free, although value-added tax (VAT) will still apply under what authorities described as “flexible valuation terms” intended to minimise the financial burden.
The exemption applies to vehicles purchased before 31 December 2022, the expiry date of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) system in South Africa.
Government also said no permit would be required for vehicles older than 10 years.
In addition, returnees will qualify for rebates on personal household goods and commercial equipment previously used in their businesses, provided the items were acquired before the same cut-off date.
Officials said the concessions would not apply to newly purchased goods and would be subject to verification measures aimed at preventing abuse.
Government also directed schools across Zimbabwe to enrol children returning from South Africa.
“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,” the minister said.
The statement comes amid growing concern over the safety and welfare of foreign nationals affected by unrest and anti-immigrant tensions in parts of South Africa.
