Government has directed the Civil Registry Department to prioritise Zimbabweans returning from South Africa who require identity documents, as part of a broader national response aimed at easing their reintegration.
Registrar-General, Henry Machiri said all provincial and district registry offices had been instructed to provide prompt assistance to returnees seeking national identity cards, birth certificates and other essential civil documents.
He said the Civil Registry Department had already activated measures to ensure returning citizens receive documentation without unnecessary delays.
“All provincial and district registrars must assist Zimbabwean returnees from South Africa promptly and without delay when they visit our registry offices across the country,” said Machiri.
To strengthen services at the country’s busiest entry point, the Beitbridge District Registry has deployed officers to the Beitbridge Reception Centre, where they are processing identity documents and guiding returnees on procedures to follow once they reach their home districts.
“Our officers at the Beitbridge District Registry are already stationed at the Beitbridge Reception Centre assisting returnees with document processing as well as information dissemination to guide them on how to proceed when they reach their destination districts,” he said.
The intervention forms part of a Whole-of-Government response announced last week to support Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed Government institutions to ensure the safe, orderly and dignified return of citizens wishing to come home.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade had mobilised logistics for the repatriation exercise while additional personnel had been deployed to strengthen consular services.
“His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has directed resources towards ensuring the safe and dignified return of every Zimbabwean who wishes to come back home. In compliance with this directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ensured mobilisation of logistics around the repatriation of our affected nationals,” said Dr Soda.
He acknowledged that some returnees had experienced delays but explained that the hold-ups were caused by mandatory profiling procedures conducted by South African authorities before individuals could leave the country.
“Until this process is complete, our citizens remain under South African jurisdiction. We understand the frustration and anxiety this causes, but we assure you that the Government of Zimbabwe is making every effort to navigate these bottlenecks,” he said.
To further support returning citizens, Government has introduced a special customs relief package under the immigrants’ rebate of duty to reduce the financial burden of relocation.
Dr Soda said Treasury had extended concessions previously available to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders to eligible returnees, subject to verification measures designed to prevent abuse.
Under the arrangement, qualifying returnees will be allowed to import one motor vehicle duty-free, although Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain payable. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) will apply flexible vehicle valuation methods to minimise the VAT burden.
He added that no import permit would be required for vehicles more than 10 years old, provided they were purchased before 31 December 2022.
