Government yesterday repatriated 96 Zimbabweans from
Gauteng Province, South Africa, as xenophobic attacks in the neighbouring
country intensify. The group is part of 171 Zimbabweans who were affected by
the disturbances, which have left over 12 people dead, including two
Zimbabweans, and displaced hundreds.
Already, the Government has activated the Civil Protection
Unit (CPU)to assist the returnees on arrival at Beitbridge Border Post.
The returnees will be helped with social protection issues
at the Social Services Department-run Reception and Support Centre, formerly
operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The centre has a carrying capacity of around 1 000 people. Zimbabwe’s
Ambassador to South Africa, Mr David Hamadziripi, said the returnees had
volunteered to be repatriated to their respective homes.
“A total of 171 Zimbabweans were affected and 96 have
decided to come home,” he said. “The Government of Zimbabwe paid for their
repatriation.”
Sources in South Africa said the group, which had been
seeking refuge at Tsolo Hall in the city of Ekurhuleni, had left Gauteng around
midday in two buses.
They were expected to arrive in the country via Beitbridge
Border Post by last night. “The numbers of those seeking reparation keep
fluctuating since many have gone back to their bases,” said a source.
“The repatriation programme is being done by authorities on
a voluntary basis.”
The Herald understands that some of the affected
Zimbabweans returned to their South African dwellings after police in that
country stepped in to quell the violence in some areas, while others have moved
to other towns where they have integrated with local communities.
The violence in South Africa has been widely condemned in
many African countries and in some instances, protesters have been looting or
boycotting South African owned business in other countries.
Xenophobia-motivated violence has been mainly driven by
criminals since 2008 when over 6 000 foreigners were left displaced in that
country.
In 2015, Zimbabwe had to repatriate 1 500 of its citizens
from Durban when xenophobia reared its ugly head in Kwazulu Natal Province.
Herald
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