Charamba: It’s South Africa, Not Us, Delaying Return Of Zimbabweans

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba says the government is facilitating the return of all Zimbabweans in South Africa who wish to come home.

Posting on X on Tuesday, Charamba said repatriation had been slowed because South Africa requires each returnee to be profiled, a process that had “tended to determine the pace of evacuation”.

“The repatriation is on a willing-leaver basis; Government, alongside partners, provides buses to bring back its citizens home,” said Charamba.

“Whilst this should guarantee swift evacuation and movement of returnees, a requirement of the South African Government to profile each and every returnee has tended to determine the pace of evacuation.

“The release of returnees is only as fast as the South African authorities are quick to complete the profiling process, which is why numbers have tended to grow at our consulates, where Zimbabweans have retreated to for safety.

“Government continues to work closely with the South African authorities so the pace of clearance and evacuation is speeded up.”

Charamba was responding to a Newzroom Afrika report that dozens of Zimbabweans have camped outside the country’s consulate in Cape Town, awaiting repatriation.

The broadcaster said only one bus left for Zimbabwe on Monday night, leaving many still stranded at the mission.

Those interviewed expressed frustration at the delays and said they hoped to leave as soon as possible, with Cape Town’s June rains making conditions worse. Most of those camped outside are women and children sleeping on the floor.

Related:

Zimbabwe Sends 35 Buses To Bring Citizens Home From South Africa Tagwirei, Mupfumi, Tungwarara Avail Buses For SA Repatriations