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Zimra lifts taxes on returnees' goods
3 hrs ago |
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THE Zimbabwean Government has announced that all screening and profiling of citizens returning from South Africa will now be conducted at the Beitbridge Border Post in a move aimed at accelerating the repatriation process while enhancing the security and orderly reception of returnees.
The development was announced by Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, George Charamba, who provided an update on the government's ongoing repatriation programme.
Charamba said 3,624 Zimbabweans had, as of Friday last week, been successfully repatriated under the Government-assisted programme and reintegrated into their communities.
"To date, some 3,624 Zimbabweans are now back home and re-integrated into various communities of origin. This is as of Friday last week. More will be on the way once processed by South African authorities," he said.
Following discussions between Zimbabwean and South African authorities, the two governments agreed that all screening and profiling of returnees would now take place at the Beitbridge Border Post instead of in South Africa.
"Following discussions between the two country authorities, it has now been agreed that screening and profiling will take place at the Beitbridge Border Post," Charamba said.
"This assists with pace and the security of returnees."
The Government has also introduced measures to ease the financial burden on returning citizens.
Charamba said the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) had been directed to waive taxes on household goods brought into the country by returnees.
"ZIMRA has been instructed to lift all taxes on household goods for returnees," he said.
He added that buses had been deployed to transport returnees from Beitbridge to their respective destinations after completing immigration and administrative processes.
"Buses have been available to ensure Zimbabweans are taken home once processes are completed," Charamba said.
He reiterated President Emmerson Mnangagwa's message that every Zimbabwean living abroad has the right to return home and would be welcomed and reintegrated.
"His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, continues to impress on us to broadcast the message that all Zimbabweans in South Africa or any other country have a right of return, and will be welcome and re-integrated upon arrival. They are nationals of this land which is their home by right," he said.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe continues to receive increasing numbers of returnees from South Africa amid heightened anti-migrant tensions in some communities.
Charamba also reiterated that earlier delays in the repatriation process had not been caused by Zimbabwean authorities but were largely attributable to mandatory profiling requirements imposed by South African authorities before returnees could cross the border.
The development was announced by Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, George Charamba, who provided an update on the government's ongoing repatriation programme.
Charamba said 3,624 Zimbabweans had, as of Friday last week, been successfully repatriated under the Government-assisted programme and reintegrated into their communities.
"To date, some 3,624 Zimbabweans are now back home and re-integrated into various communities of origin. This is as of Friday last week. More will be on the way once processed by South African authorities," he said.
Following discussions between Zimbabwean and South African authorities, the two governments agreed that all screening and profiling of returnees would now take place at the Beitbridge Border Post instead of in South Africa.
"Following discussions between the two country authorities, it has now been agreed that screening and profiling will take place at the Beitbridge Border Post," Charamba said.
"This assists with pace and the security of returnees."
The Government has also introduced measures to ease the financial burden on returning citizens.
"ZIMRA has been instructed to lift all taxes on household goods for returnees," he said.
He added that buses had been deployed to transport returnees from Beitbridge to their respective destinations after completing immigration and administrative processes.
"Buses have been available to ensure Zimbabweans are taken home once processes are completed," Charamba said.
He reiterated President Emmerson Mnangagwa's message that every Zimbabwean living abroad has the right to return home and would be welcomed and reintegrated.
"His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, continues to impress on us to broadcast the message that all Zimbabweans in South Africa or any other country have a right of return, and will be welcome and re-integrated upon arrival. They are nationals of this land which is their home by right," he said.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe continues to receive increasing numbers of returnees from South Africa amid heightened anti-migrant tensions in some communities.
Charamba also reiterated that earlier delays in the repatriation process had not been caused by Zimbabwean authorities but were largely attributable to mandatory profiling requirements imposed by South African authorities before returnees could cross the border.
Source - The Herald
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