Zimbabwe eases duty-free return of property for citizens fleeing SA protests

THE Government, through the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), is facilitating the duty-free return of household goods and tools of trade belonging to Zimbabweans affected by anti-migrant protests in South Africa.

The initiative forms part of a broader whole-of-government effort to ensure the smooth repatriation and reintegration of returnees into their communities.

Zimra Private Imports Manager at Beitbridge, Mr Tawanda Muchena, said a flexible customs regime had been introduced to assist returnees bringing their belongings back into the country.

Mr Muchena was speaking on Monday during a verification visit to Beitbridge by the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services to assess the repatriation exercise.

"We have been fully implementing a flexible customs regime as directed by the Government to ensure the returnees coming from South Africa at the height of anti-migrant protests," he said.

He said an express lane had been established at the border, with returnees arriving through the bus terminal and undergoing compliance checks at the reception and support centre.

Statutory fees for buses and trucks transporting returnees' goods have also been waived to facilitate the movement of cargo.

"We coordinate with the consulate; they write a letter with a manifest of goods and owners. We haven't had challenges," Mr Muchena said.

He said vehicles belonging to returning residents could also be facilitated under the scheme, provided the owners had been outside Zimbabwe for at least two years and had owned the vehicles for at least six months before returning.

These conditions must be supported by the vehicle registration book, while Zimborders Consortium has waived border user fees for vehicles transporting returnees' goods.

Mr Muchena said Zimra had also cleared business equipment being brought back by Zimbabweans who had been operating businesses in South Africa.

The equipment included welding machines, heavy industrial sewing machines and various building tools.

He said commercial vehicles being brought through the returning residents facility should not exceed a gross weight of five tonnes.

"Most of the equipment included welding machines, heavy industrial sewing machines, building tools, among others. Zimra is open to assist returnees in line with the Government directive," he said.

Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the duty-free facilitation followed reports that some Zimbabweans had left South Africa in a hurry, leaving behind valuable possessions.

"The move to have trucks assisted by the government came after it emerged that most people leaving SA in a haste were leaving valuables, and hence the move to help them bring back their properties duty-free," said Minister Nguluvhe.

He commended the inter-ministerial committee on repatriation for adopting a whole-of-government approach in coordinating the exercise.

Other Government departments also reported progress in assisting the returnees.

Deputy Registrar-General Mr Ben Mpala said his department had prioritised the provision of civil documentation.

"We had attended to 4 167 people, sharing key information on civil documents registration and issued 19 national IDs and 361 external birth certificates, while others sought general information. We are working in coordination with Foreign Affairs and Immigration authorities," he said.

Committee chairperson Exevia Maoneke said the legislators would report to Parliament on gaps identified during the verification exercise and recommend further support for returnees as they settle back into their communities.