Harare (New Ziana) – In keeping with its promise to warmly welcome back its citizens, the government on Thursday received 14 Zimbabweans who have been deported by the British government for various offences.

A total of 150 Zimbabweans are due for deportation from the UK and an initial 50 were expected this Thursday, but reports indicate that some won court cases to delay their deportation while others had been isolated for COVDI-19 reasons.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Fredrick Shava had earlier said Zimbabwe was ready to welcome its citizens.

“They are Zimbabwean and they are being sent back in the same way we have received other deportees from South Africa, from Botswana wherever Zimbabweans are,” he said.

“If need be they can be quarantined for a certain period and then they can go and join their families. There is no reason for anyone to persecute them unless an individual had a pending case which has not been finalised in Zimbabwe.”

The returnees, who landed at the Robert Mugabe International Airport around 10AM, were reportedly driven-in ZUPCO buses- to a luxury lodge on the outskirts of Harare for quarantine purposes.

The Zimbabwe government agreed with the United Kingdom in June that Zimbabweans, some of whom have been in the European country on false pretences, could safely return home.

Those affected are involuntary returnees who have exhausted the administrative and legal procedures and have lost the legal right to remain in that country.

Part of the agreement between the Zimbabwe and British governments is that no more than 100 people will be arriving on a monthly basis.
New Ziana