Many Zimbabweans in SA reluctant to go home

Johannesburg - Zimbabweans in South Africa received the re-election of President Robert Mugabe with mixed reactions, with the majority reluctant to return to their country.

Others however said they were looking forward to return and start a new life and benefit from the country's indigenisation policies.

On Saturday's presidential vote outcome, Mugabe garnered 2 110 434 votes (61,09%) against Tsvangirai's 1 172 349 votes (33,94%) while third winner Welshman Ncube, another leader of smaller MDC garnered 92 637 votes (2,68%).

Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa garnered  25 416 votes (0,74%) with Kisinoti Mukwazhi recording 9 931 votes (0,29%).

Zimbabweans interviewed by CAJ News from across South Africa said they would not risk going back home in fear abject poverty and unemployment.

Zimbabwe faced economic problems before Zanu-PF and the two MDCs formed a unity government.

Xolani Sibanda of Hillbrow said he would not quit his well paying job in Sandton to return to Zimbabwe for "suffering".

"I've since made it clear to my family in Bulawayo that my desire of coming back home in September have been completely dashed when President Robert Mugabe won against his close rival Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC.

"All my hopes of going back home have vanished into the thin air! I'm clueless! I don't really know how Mugabe and Zanu PF won these elections," Sibanda asked?

Munyaradzi Batsi, a manager at a popular Fourways food retail outlet said he would not return to Harare.

Into Mugabe's hands

"Why should I go back home now when things are looking bad? Who in his sober senses would want to quit his or her job going back to Mugabe's hands? The future looks bleak," Batsi said.

Fadzai Machingura from Zvimba communal lands, where Mugabe comes from, said she would continue her trade as a vendor in Soweto.

"As things look, I can't risk going back home now! I have three children all going to high school. The three need my support with school fees, food and clothes.

"If I quit my job now and go back home, I will not be able to fend for them. I will not risk putting my children's future into darkness," Machingura said.

However, Norman Machakaire of Gweru, differed arguing that the "free" and "fair" elections would present Zimbabwe with a new beginning.

"Those who don't want to go back home were never meant to be in Zimbabwe.

I am on my way back to Gweru, to start a new chapter. I'm not a coward who disparages his country due to economic sanctions invited by Morgan Tsvangirai.

"Upon my arrival, I will ask for a piece of land and start doing self-reliant business. I was a victim of xenophobia here in Katlehong in 2008, and I would not want that to happen to me again," Machakaire said.

Terrence Mushangwe of Masvingo, who works in Woodmead at a technology company, said he was going back to Masvingo city to start his new technology company on payroll.

"We have the skills, and we should start tapping into business before huge SA companies descend into Zimbabwe.

"They make all these noises because they have huge interest in the economic affairs of Zimbabwe, so clever people should rally behind Mugabe's indigenisation programme, which aims to economically empower us" Mushangwe said.

The crisis that followed disputed elections in 2008 sent millions to seek refuge in South Africa.

There are fears the just-ended polls will have a similar effect. - CAJ News