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The Zimbabwean Embassy says it has been inundated by distress calls from Zimbabwean citizens in South Africa who have asked to return home.
They say they can no longer stay in South Africa due to the blockade.
In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy said it had provided permits for those who had their own means of transportation back to Zimbabwe and had provided transportation for those who did not.
“Subsequently, the embassy received abundant distress calls from some Zimbabwean citizens in South Africa.
“The embassy was inundated with requests, ranging from requests for help with food supplies, pleas from Zimbabweans with their own means to travel back to their country, and requests from Zimbabweans who needed transportation back home.”
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The embassy has organized travel permits for self-repatriation, those who can use their own transportation to return home.
Repatriate
It has also organized buses in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to repatriate Zimbabweans.
“[M]Since then, some have returned home, while others are still awaiting their travel permits.
“There are buses ready to transport Zimbabweans back home, under self-financed repatriation where travelers pay for their own transportation,” the embassy said.
The buses comply with Covid-19 regulations to limit the number of passengers to 70% of the load capacity.
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“A considerable number of the requests received by the embassy are for humanitarian assistance from Zimbabweans who, during this confinement in South Africa, are no longer able to maintain their stay in the country due to loss of income,” he said.
In partnership with Justice Maphosa, the CEO of the Bigtime Strategic Group, transportation has been made available to Zimbabweans who cannot afford to travel home.
“The International Organization for Migration, the United Nations migration agency, is providing technical support to the embassy in planning and conducting this humanitarian repatriation exercise.
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“Technical support includes coordinating pre-departure arrangements, pre-shipment medical checks, and distribution of Covid-19 related awareness material,” the embassy said.
He added that everyone would be quarantined at the designated facility once in Zimbabwe, whose government will bear the costs.
“A subsequent communication will be made regarding assistance for distressed Zimbabweans who choose to remain within the borders of South Africa,” the embassy said.
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