The future of Zimbabwean children who have voluntarily returned from South Africa remains uncertain unless the Government swiftly secures school places for them.
The returns follow violent anti-migrant protests in parts of South Africa that have forced many families to come home.
Between 28 May and 21 June, 761 children returned with parents or guardians from the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Seven other children arrived at Beitbridge Border Post unaccompanied. Government officials have since reunited them with their families in Zimbabwe.
Since the protests began, the Government has evacuated 1,755 people from South Africa.
During the same period, 24,211 people chose to return on their own through a process known as self-repatriation.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe visited the Government Reception and Support Centre in Beitbridge on Tuesday.
He said he will engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education over schooling for the returning children.
“No child should lose a school year because of what is happening in South Africa,” said Nguluvhe.
“I will engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that we create space and support for these children in our schools.”
He added that some returning parents had reported that migrant children were being bullied in South African schools.
Minister Nguluvhe said the situation was pushing parents to bring their children back home.
The mass returns follow a wave of violent anti-migrant protests across parts of South Africa.
The demonstrations, spearheaded by the March and March Movement, have left foreign nationals fleeing for their lives and appealing to their governments for evacuation.
South Africa has long been a destination for Zimbabweans seeking economic opportunities. An estimated four million Zimbabweans live there, most of them undocumented.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply