Beitbridge (New Ziana) – A top United Nations official has given a thumbs up to government preparations for the expected return of hundreds of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa who failed to secure work permits in the neighbouring country.
South Africa has announced plans to eject foreigners without work or resident permits from June this year, and hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to be affected.
The government has said it would warmly welcome all affected Zimbabweans back home, and help facilitate their their return, both in South Africa and in the country.
Part of the assistance include processing travel documents and other requisite paper work for the returnees, help with transport inside the country where needed, and resettlement.
A number of international aid agencies, mostly those under the auspices of the United Nations, have pledged assistance to the government in dealing with the influx of the returnees.
An estimated 178 000 Zimbabweans are expected to return home from South Africa.
Most of these were either living in South Africa illegally or had jobs that the government now wants to be reserved for locals to help reduce the country’s high unemployment levels.
Beitbridge, the border between the two countries, will be the logistical hub for the reception and relocation of the returnees to their homes inland, and the government is setting up facilities there to ensure a smooth and swifter process.
United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator to Zimbabwe, Edward Kallon, has visited the border town to familiarise with preparations the government and aid agencies had put in place for the returnees.
He told reporters government was making good preparations for the returnees, a majority of whom are expected to require assistance relocating to their homes of origin from the border.
“We had fruitful discussions with all the relevant authorities here. We also toured the border post, social welfare reception centre and the other reception, and we are happy with the preparedness,” Kallon said.
During the visit, he held talks with government officials and other aid agencies involved in the preparations for the mass return of the Zimbabwean nationals.
In the forefront of United Nations assistance in the programme is the International Organisation for Migration, an agency specialising in migration and emigration matters around the world. The Red Cross has also been tapped in.
“We are sure those in need of support and assistance will be getting relevant help,” Kallon said.
The expected return of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa is probably the second biggest influx of citizens into the country, smaller only to the mass return of refugees from neighbouring countries in 1980 after the war.
New Ziana
