NEARLY 700 Zimbabweans have died in South Africa during the
ongoing lockdown meant to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
Zimbabwe’s consul-general to Johannesburg, Mrs Melody
Chaurura said yesterday that documents had been processed for the repatriation
of the remains of 693 Zimbabweans from the neighbouring country between March
30 and May 22.
She said the bodies were repatriated by road via Beitbridge
Border Post.
Mrs Chaurura said the destinations of the bodies were
spread across the country and most of the people died due to natural causes.
“During the period under review we processed documents to repatriate remains of
693 for burial in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Mrs Chaurura said the repatriation process had not changed
and her office stands guided by recommendations from the Ministry of Health and
Child Care.
“Under the system, all bodies being repatriated to Zimbabwe
for burial will be treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of
death is a road accident, murder or other body injuries. All the bodies now
require the clearance of the Ministry of Health and Child Care prior to their
transportation to Zimbabwe under the usual procedures,” she said.
Mrs Chaurura said relatives accompanying bodies are now
being subjected to mandatory quarantine at any port of entry upon arrival in
the country before proceeding to the various destinations.
Zimbabwean and South African health authorities came up
with stringent measures recently to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
The move follows consultations among South African based
funeral parlours and authorities from the two neighbouring countries.
Mrs Chaurura said it was important for Zimbabweans who seek
to travel home to note that they will have to undergo 21 days of mandatory
quarantining upon arrival.
“We are happy that our host Government has been granting
permits to those who request to travel back to Zimbabwe on varying personal
emergencies including bereavement,” said Mrs Chaurura.
Besides the Ministry of Health and Child Care clearance, a
birth certificate or national identification documents of the deceased are
needed at the Consulate for documentation for those travelling by road.
In the case of the remains being flown, a passport is
mandatory as well as a copy of the informant’s particulars and a burial order.
On average it costs R15 000 to transport a body from South
Africa to Zimbabwe by road. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment