HARARE – More than 70 Zimbabweans have been repatriated from South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post as Government steps up efforts to assist citizen...
HARARE – More than 70 Zimbabweans have been repatriated from South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post as Government steps up efforts to assist citizens wishing to return home following reported security concerns in some parts of the neighbouring country.
The returnees said they were relieved to be back home after experiencing difficult and tense conditions in areas where they had been living in South Africa. Upon arrival, they received assistance before continuing with their journeys to their respective homes.
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Miss Emilia Tochi from Mashava said the environment where they had been staying had become unsafe and that community members did not distinguish between documented and undocumented foreign nationals.
“Where we are coming from, the situation is tense, and the community we were living in doesn’t consider whether you are documented or not. You are just told to go and, if you show them your documents proving that you are legal in that country, they tear the documents. But now we are safely home. We really applaud the Government for its effort,” said Miss Tochi.
Mr Teddius Masendeke from Mutoko said conditions in Mossel Bay had become difficult, forcing many people to seek protection at a police station.
“The situation is not good where we are coming from in Mossel Bay. People are being beaten, and people are looting everything until we found refuge at the police station,” said Mr Masendeke.
Miss Theresa Sibanda from Harare said many people had to leave with only a few belongings and seek temporary shelter in safety halls. She said returning to Zimbabwe had given them a sense of security.
“It was a matter of picking what you have and seeking refuge in safety halls. Now we feel safe here because we have a home,” she said.
Another returnee, Mr Earnest Chamisa, said the experience had shown him the importance of government support during emergencies.
“I never knew the importance of government until I fell into this situation. That is where I realised that having a caring government is very important because we quickly got help to be safe at home,” said Mr Chamisa.
However, not all returnees arrived with peace of mind. Mr Vengai Kangwari said he was worried after leaving some family members behind in South Africa.
“It is so painful that I left my family there and now I do not know what to do,” said Mr Kangwari.
Government, working together with development partners, provided immediate psychosocial support to the returnees at Beitbridge Border Post before arranging transport to their different destinations across Zimbabwe. Authorities said support measures remain in place to ensure citizens are safely received and assisted as they reintegrate into their communities.
The repatriation programme comes at a time when several African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, are also helping their nationals return from South Africa. Officials said the measures are intended to provide support and protection for citizens affected by the reported security concerns.
The repatriation of Zimbabweans from South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post highlights ongoing efforts to support returning citizens. The exercise has brought relief to many families and forms part of broader regional efforts involving African countries responding to similar situations. Authorities say assistance and reintegration support will continue for those returning home.
