Government has stepped up the repatriation of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa, with dozens of buses deployed across key centres to facilitate the safe return of citizens wishing to come home.
In a statement, the Department of Presidential Communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet said the evacuation programme is progressing smoothly, with returnees being processed and transported from several locations.
“As of this Tuesday, three buses with returnees have left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post while two other buses left Cape Town for Johannesburg for speedier processing of returnees before proceeding to the Beitbridge Border Post,” the department said.
It added that two more buses were travelling from Port Elizabeth to collect additional returnees.
The Government said about 1 000 Zimbabweans are still at the Epping Repatriation Centre awaiting the completion of processing before being transported home.
“Epping Repatriation Centre still has some 1 000 Zimbabweans who will be ferried home once their processing is complete, with buses already available for their transportation home,” the statement read.
In Johannesburg, authorities have positioned buses at various processing centres to ensure the exercise proceeds without delays.
“Eleven buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery in Johannesburg, where 600 Zimbabweans are being processed, with five more buses stationed at Power House where 300 Zimbabweans are being processed pending their departure for Zimbabwe,” the department said.
The statement also revealed that 12 buses from different departure points, including Durban, departed Johannesburg on Monday night, carrying returnees.
The Government said it is fully funding the repatriation exercise and has deployed personnel to assist citizens throughout the process.
“The Government of Zimbabwe is funding the repatriation of nationals and has availed all buses on which Zimbabweans are travelling. The Embassy of Zimbabwe and its Consulates’ staff have been re-deployed to facilitate the evacuation of all citizens willing to come back home,” said the department.
Government also acknowledged the support being provided by international partners and praised the cooperation received from the South African authorities.
“We express our gratitude to all United Nations agencies assisting with the evacuation process. Cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Government of South Africa remains excellent and empathetic,” the statement said.
