The Government has introduced a dedicated green route at Beitbridge Border Post to speed up the clearance of Zimbabweans returning home under the ongo...
HARARE — The Government has introduced a dedicated green route at Beitbridge Border Post to speed up the clearance of Zimbabweans returning home under the ongoing repatriation programme.
The express lane has been established to reduce congestion at the country’s busiest port of entry. Border authorities have also introduced flexible measures to ensure Government-assisted returnees are processed quickly and efficiently.
Returning citizens have welcomed the new arrangement, saying it has reduced waiting times and made the border clearance process smoother.
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“As you arrive at the border, you are instructed to remain on the bus before proceeding directly to the reception centre,” one returnee said.
Another returnee said the process had made travelling back home easier and more organised.
“We were allowed to pass through the border with our belongings without any difficulties. When we arrived at the reception centre, we were assisted and allocated buses to continue our journey home,” the returnee said.
Officials said the green route is expected to improve the efficiency of the repatriation programme while reducing inconvenience for Zimbabweans returning to the country.
ZIMBORDERS Manager Mr Nqobile Ncube said the decision followed an agreement by border stakeholders to improve the movement of returnees through Beitbridge Border Post.
“The green route is intended to minimise inconveniences for our fellow Zimbabweans returning under the repatriation programme. Border stakeholders agreed to establish an express lane to make the entire process faster and more efficient,” he said.
Regional Immigration Officer Mr Joshua Chibundu said authorities reviewed existing procedures after identifying operational challenges involving buses arriving from South Africa.
“We experienced a situation where buses from South Africa were dropping passengers at the border before completing the necessary processes. Following consultations with stakeholders, it was agreed that all buses should proceed directly to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Reception Centre, where all immigration and administrative processes are completed before passengers are allocated onward transport to their respective destinations,” he said.
The revised system requires buses carrying returnees to proceed directly to the IOM Reception Centre, where immigration and administrative formalities are completed before passengers are assigned transport to continue their journeys across the country.
Officials said the new process is intended to improve coordination among border agencies while reducing delays experienced under the previous system.
The continued arrival of Zimbabwean and Malawian returnees through Beitbridge Border Post has prompted the Government to mobilise additional resources to support the ongoing repatriation programme.
Authorities said the additional measures are aimed at ensuring the repatriation exercise is carried out efficiently while minimising delays for returning citizens at the country’s busiest border crossing.
