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Over 40,000 Zimbabweans return from South Africa
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MORE than 40,000 Zimbabweans have returned home through the Beitbridge Border Post over the past month, with the majority making their own way back as anti-migrant tensions continue to rise in parts of South Africa.
According to the latest Civil Protection Unit (CPU) report, a total of 35,403 Zimbabweans self-repatriated through Beitbridge between May 28 and June 27, while a further 4,795 were assisted by the Government, bringing the total number of returnees during the period to 40,198.
The increase in arrivals has been linked to growing anxiety among Zimbabweans living in South African townships following calls by some community groups for undocumented migrants to leave by Tuesday, June 30.
Although the South African government has stated that there is no official deadline for foreign nationals to leave the country, uncertainty has prompted many Zimbabwean families to return voluntarily.
Officials at Beitbridge say buses carrying returnees continue to arrive daily, mainly from Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The report notes that traffic has increased significantly, with arrivals rising from an average of one bus a day in late May to four buses daily by the end of June.
Most returnees are arriving with household belongings, children and little prior notice.
"The Government of Zimbabwe is actively monitoring the welfare of its citizens in South Africa amid ongoing anti-migrant tensions and has established coordination mechanisms to facilitate their safe repatriation, reception and reintegration," the report said.
It added that authorities at district, provincial and national level had convened meetings at the Beitbridge Reception Centre to coordinate a collective response to the growing number of arrivals.
The increased influx has placed reception and transit facilities under pressure, prompting the Government Reception and Support Centre at Beitbridge to operate around the clock.
Government agencies and humanitarian partners have expanded assistance to include food, medical screening, psychosocial support, non-food items and transport to destinations such as Harare, Masvingo and Mashonaland provinces.
The Civil Protection Unit is working alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Department of Immigration and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to manage the repatriation process.
The Civil Registry Department has also deployed officials to assist returnees whose identity documents have been lost or damaged, while the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is facilitating the enrolment of returning learners into local schools to minimise disruption to their education.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Embassy in South Africa has increased staffing levels to assist citizens requiring documentation and consular support.
The embassy is also working closely with Zimbabwean community structures in affected areas to share verified information and help vulnerable nationals access assistance as anti-migrant tensions persist.
According to the latest Civil Protection Unit (CPU) report, a total of 35,403 Zimbabweans self-repatriated through Beitbridge between May 28 and June 27, while a further 4,795 were assisted by the Government, bringing the total number of returnees during the period to 40,198.
The increase in arrivals has been linked to growing anxiety among Zimbabweans living in South African townships following calls by some community groups for undocumented migrants to leave by Tuesday, June 30.
Although the South African government has stated that there is no official deadline for foreign nationals to leave the country, uncertainty has prompted many Zimbabwean families to return voluntarily.
Officials at Beitbridge say buses carrying returnees continue to arrive daily, mainly from Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The report notes that traffic has increased significantly, with arrivals rising from an average of one bus a day in late May to four buses daily by the end of June.
Most returnees are arriving with household belongings, children and little prior notice.
It added that authorities at district, provincial and national level had convened meetings at the Beitbridge Reception Centre to coordinate a collective response to the growing number of arrivals.
The increased influx has placed reception and transit facilities under pressure, prompting the Government Reception and Support Centre at Beitbridge to operate around the clock.
Government agencies and humanitarian partners have expanded assistance to include food, medical screening, psychosocial support, non-food items and transport to destinations such as Harare, Masvingo and Mashonaland provinces.
The Civil Protection Unit is working alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Department of Immigration and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to manage the repatriation process.
The Civil Registry Department has also deployed officials to assist returnees whose identity documents have been lost or damaged, while the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is facilitating the enrolment of returning learners into local schools to minimise disruption to their education.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Embassy in South Africa has increased staffing levels to assist citizens requiring documentation and consular support.
The embassy is also working closely with Zimbabwean community structures in affected areas to share verified information and help vulnerable nationals access assistance as anti-migrant tensions persist.
Source - The Chronicle
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