Over 140,000 Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals have been repatriated through the Beitbridge Border Post since the beginning of July, with the government continuing to oversee the operation through an inter-ministerial committee established to coordinate the process.
The chief director in the Department of Immigration, Mrs Respect Gono, said the committee remains stationed at the border to facilitate the safe and orderly return of Zimbabwean citizens while also assisting Malawian nationals transiting through Zimbabwe.
Providing an update on the exercise, Mrs Gono said thousands of Zimbabweans have already returned home with government support.
“I can safely inform you that currently we have repatriated 72,658 Zimbabweans. They’ve been assisted to come back home. The returnees are all welcome back home. We welcome all Zimbabweans. They can come in any time, and we are there to accommodate them and ensure that they are safe,” she said.
She added that Zimbabwe has also processed 72,272 Malawian nationals travelling from South Africa, with authorities ensuring their safe passage through the country.
“So far, we have cleared 72,272 Malawians. I want to advise the public that we accompany all the buses carrying Malawian nationals. We come from Beitbridge and leave them at Nyamapanda Border Post,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Civil Registry Department is continuing to process vital registration documents for returning Zimbabweans who arrive without the necessary paperwork.
Registrar General Mr Henry Machiri said officials are assisting returnees, particularly families with children who do not have birth certificates or supporting documentation.
“Some of those people are coming back with children who do not have birth certificates, and they do not even have the supporting documents because either they were banned or they left in a hurry, and those people we are assisting,” he said.
The government established the inter-ministerial committee at Beitbridge Border Post to coordinate the repatriation exercise, ensure efficient processing of returnees and provide the necessary support services as people make their way back home.
Authorities say the ongoing operation reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, organised and humane return of citizens while also facilitating the transit of Malawian nationals travelling through Zimbabwe.
