Staff Reporter
The Government of Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to repatriate citizens returning from South Africa, deploying more than 20 buses as authorities process hundreds of Zimbabweans affected by the ongoing anti-immigrant unrest.
In its latest update issued on Tuesday by the Department of Presidential Communications, the Government said buses had already departed from several South African cities while thousands of Zimbabweans continue to undergo documentation and processing before being transported home.
The statement said three buses carrying returnees had already left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post, while another two buses were travelling to Johannesburg to facilitate faster processing before proceeding to Zimbabwe.
According to the Government, about 1,000 Zimbabweans remain at the Epping Repatriation Centre in Cape Town awaiting completion of processing.
“Epping Repatriation Centre still has some 1 000 Zimbabweans who will be ferried home once their processing is complete. Buses are already available for the purpose,” reads the statement.
The Government also confirmed that two buses are en route from Port Elizabeth to Beitbridge.
In Johannesburg, authorities have positioned 11 buses at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery, where approximately 600 Zimbabweans are being processed ahead of their departure. A further five buses have been stationed at Power House in Johannesburg, where another 300 Zimbabweans are undergoing processing.
“Eleven buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery where 600 Zimbabweans are being processed pending their departure for Zimbabwe soon after,” the statement said.
The latest update follows the Government’s activation of emergency repatriation measures after violence targeting foreign nationals escalated in parts of South Africa, forcing many Zimbabweans to seek assistance to return home.
Officials say transport, documentation and reception arrangements have been put in place to ensure the returnees are safely brought back through Beitbridge Border Post.
Government has urged Zimbabweans in affected areas to remain in contact with Zimbabwean diplomatic missions and designated repatriation centres as evacuation efforts continue
