The government of Zimbabwe is planning to repatriate its
distressed citizens stuck in South Africa following travel bans and lockdowns
put in place globally in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter dated April 13, 2020, the Embassy of Zimbabwe
in South Africa said it had learnt that there were Zimbabwean citizens and
permanent residents facing challenges that would make their continued stay in
South Africa uncomfortable and was now liaising with the head office in Harare
on the possibility of repatriating those who were willing back to Zimbabwe.
“While consultations with the head office in Harare are
underway, the embassy will continue with efforts to come up with a
comprehensive evaluation of the situation on the ground as it develops,”
Counsellor Martin Makururu wrote.
“Citizens and permanent residents who choose to exercise
the option of returning to Zimbabwe during the lockdown period are expected to
go into compulsory quarantine for a period of 21 days (three weeks.)”
Makururu pointed out that South Africa allowed the
“voluntary, orderly” repatriation of foreign nationals to their countries of
origin during the lockdown period.
He said Zimbabwe’s borders remained open to allow for the
return of its citizens and permanent residents.
Makururu added that those who wished to return home had to
provide their full names and surnames, passport or national identity card
numbers, age, gender, current physical address, local [phone number, home
address and phone number of next of kin in Zimbabwe a well as the home address
in Zimbabwe to the Zimbabwe consulate.
South Africa has recorded more than 2 000 cases of the
COVID-19 pandemic, with the country responding by implementing a lockdown.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has recorded 17 cases and
three deaths.
Zimbabwe has implemented a lockdown that is due to end on
Sunday. Newsday
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