'300 Zimbabwean nationals die in SA monthly'

More than 300 bodies of Zimbabweans who die in South Africa are repatriated home every month, with the number of locals who died in that country having increased to nearly 4 000 for the whole of last year, an official revealed yesterday.

Zimbabwe's consul-general to South Africa Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro said last year they processed documents for a total of 3 944 Zimbabweans who died in South Africa.

Those who repatriate the bodies of their relatives by road use mainly Plumtree and Beitbridge border posts. Mr Mukonoweshuro said the major destinations for the bodies were the country's southern provinces.

"The figures (of those who died) increased to 3 140 in 2015 from 2 060 in 2014," he said. "The major destinations are mainly Bulilima, Mangwe, Lupane, Gwanda, Masvingo, Beitbridge, Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Chipinge.

"The statistical data excludes those repatriations done through Cape Town and you will note that a number are being buried in South Africa without the consulate's knowledge."

Mr Mukonoweshuro said most deaths were related to HIV and Aids, which accounted for 35 percent. He said the majority of the people die in winter after succumbing to diseases such as Branchopneumonia, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Pulmonary TB, Pneumonia Hepatitis and other retroviral diseases.

Mr Mukonoweshuro said between June and July last year, which is the peak of the winter period, they repatriated the remains of 710 people.

"Pulmonary diseases are usually due to the poor living conditions in urban areas, due to overcrowding and the excessive drop in temperatures in winter," he said.

"Violent crimes such as robberies, murder and assault are some of the causes of death, including road traffic accidents along major highways. "In some instances people travel while they are already sick."

Mr Mukonoweshuro advised Zimbabweans to ensure that they were documented when they travel to South Africa or any other country.

"This makes it easy for us to quickly identify them when they die," he said. "Relatives of the deceased are also advised to approach the consulate in cases of deaths, so that they are assisted with documents and directed to reputable funeral parlours."

Mr Mukonoweshuro said the consulate's staff requires national identification documents, especially a passport of the deceased, non-infectious disease certificate, embalming certificate, death certificate, post mortem report and a letter from the Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) for them to process the repatriation certificates.

He said for those who die while travelling by road, a birth certificate or ID was ideal.

"For bodies that fly, it's strictly a passport and we also need a copy of the informant's particulars and a burial order," he said.