Zimbabwe Records 197,000 Returnees From South Africa

Zimbabwe has recorded 197,294 people returning from South Africa, although the number of repatriations through both government-supported programmes and independent arrangements has declined, Acting Information Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Minister Mavima said 42,553 Zimbabweans had returned through government assistance, while 154,741 came back independently.

As of October 6, the government-assisted returnees comprised 10,475 adult men, 13,631 adult women, 9,001 boys and 9,446 girls.

“Authorities had observed a slowdown in the movement of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa through both channels,” he said.

By September 24, Zimbabwe had also received 700 deportees from South Africa’s Lindela Repatriation Centre at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.

The Joint Operations Command is screening people arriving at the centre, including Zimbabweans who served prison terms in South Africa but are required to complete their sentences in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the government facilitated the transit of 87,012 Malawian nationals travelling through Zimbabwe on their way home. Mavima said all of them had departed and their movements had been fully accounted for.

“The government would continue monitoring developments and remained prepared to manage any possible increase in the number of returnees,” Minister Mavima added.