Nearly 200,000 Zimbabweans return from South Africa

HARARE – Nearly 200,000 Zimbabweans have returned from South Africa through government-assisted repatriations and independent arrangements, with authorities reporting a decline in the number of people arriving home.

Cabinet said Tuesday that 42,553 Zimbabweans had returned under government-supported arrangements as of October 6, while another 154,741 had returned independently, bringing the cumulative total to 197,294.

The government did not specify the period covered by the cumulative figures or explain the reasons behind the decline in returnees.

According to the figures presented by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, government-assisted returnees included 10,475 adult men, 13,631 adult women, 9,001 boys and 9,446 girls.

Cabinet also reported that 700 Zimbabwean deportees from South Africa’s Lindela repatriation center had been received at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre as of September 24.

Authorities said some of those deported had criminal convictions in South Africa and were required to complete the remainder of their prison sentences in Zimbabwe.

“The involvement of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) remains paramount in the screening and handling process, given that some of the deportees are convicts who were serving sentences in South African prisons and are required to complete the remainder of their sentences in Zimbabwe,” Cabinet said.

The government said it had also assisted 87,012 Malawian nationals returning through Zimbabwe to Malawi, adding that all had since left the country and been accounted for.

Cabinet said it would continue monitoring developments at the border and remained prepared to respond to any renewed influx of returnees.