The Government of Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to repatriate Zimbabwean nationals stranded in South Africa, with several buses already transporting returnees to the Beitbridge Border Post and hundreds more awaiting processing in various South African cities.
In a statement released by the Department of Presidential Communications, authorities said three buses carrying returnees had departed Cape Town for Beitbridge, while two additional buses had been dispatched to Johannesburg to facilitate faster processing of returnees before continuing to the border.
The government also reported that approximately 1,000 Zimbabweans remain at the Epping Repatriation Centre in Cape Town. Officials said transportation arrangements have already been made and the returnees will be ferried home once administrative processing is completed.
In Port Elizabeth, two buses are currently en route to the Beitbridge Border Post carrying returning Zimbabwean nationals.
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, 11 buses have been placed on standby at Zimbabwe’s Old Chancery offices, where about 600 Zimbabweans are undergoing processing ahead of their departure.
Authorities said an additional 300 nationals are being processed at Power House in Johannesburg, where five more buses have been stationed.
The latest developments form part of the Zimbabwean government’s ongoing repatriation programme aimed at assisting citizens returning from South Africa. Officials indicated that transport and processing arrangements are continuing in an effort to ensure the safe and orderly return of affected nationals.
The Department of Presidential Communications said further updates on the repatriation exercise would be issued as operations progress.