The Zimbabwean government says it has deployed dozens of buses to major South African cities to repatriate thousands of its citizens, as anti-migrant protests continue across the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 30 June, the Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said the repatriation exercise is being “wholly funded by the Government of Zimbabwe” and covers returnees from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Durban and other areas.
According to the update, three buses carrying returnees have already left Cape Town for the Beitbridge Border Post. Two more buses left Cape Town for Johannesburg to speed up processing before proceeding to Beitbridge.
Charamba said about 1,000 Zimbabweans remain at the Epping Repatriation Centre in Cape Town, with buses already on standby to ferry them home once processing is complete.
From Port Elizabeth, two buses are en route to Beitbridge, while in Johannesburg, 11 buses are on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery, where 600 nationals are being processed. A further 300 Zimbabweans are being processed at Power House in Johannesburg, with five buses stationed there.
Charamba further stated that 12 buses from various points, including Durban, left Johannesburg on Monday night for the Beitbridge and Musina border posts.
He said all embassy and consulate staff have been redeployed to facilitate the evacuation of Zimbabweans willing to return home.
“Cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Government of South Africa remains excellent and empathetic,” Charamba said.
The repatriation drive follows days of protests in South Africa’s main cities, where thousands have marched to demand that undocumented migrants leave.
Anti-migrant groups had set Tuesday as a deadline for foreigners to depart, prompting many to flee amid reports of violence and intimidation.
South African police said last week that 25,000 foreign nationals had been repatriated so far, most from other African countries.
The Zimbabwean government has assured returnees that they will be assisted to re-integrate into their communities.
“Government is ready to come to the assistance of all Zimbabweans wishing to come back home,” the statement said.
The Beitbridge Border Post, Zimbabwe’s main crossing with South Africa, is expected to see increased traffic in the coming days as buses continue to arrive.
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