GOVERNMENT says it expects mass deportation of Zimbabweans residing in South Africa illegally with plans reportedly already in place to ensure a smooth reintegration of the deportees.
Public Service deputy minister Mercy Dinha revealed this in Parliament on Wednesday while responding to written questions from legislators on plans to receive returning Zimbabweans from South Africa.
South Africa has stepped up deportations of suspected illegal immigrants in that country, particularly Zimbabweans, with locals there accusing foreigners of taking jobs meant for nationals.
Dinha said the government in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration has renovated reception and support centres in Beitbridge and Plumtree to accommodate the deportees.
“The government of Zimbabwe, working with the International Organisation for Migration, laid a foundation for the receipt of migrants in anticipation of the return of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit non-holders from South Africa,” Dinha said.
“In that regard, there are inter-ministerial committees in place that will be activated to attend to any anticipated return of citizens.
“My ministry is finalising the renovations of the Beitbridge and Plumtree reception and support centres, respectively, where returnees will be admitted and then reintegrated into the communities where they came from.”
Added Dinha: “Our capability to handle any number of our returning citizens cannot be doubted as evidenced by our acquittal during the COVID-19 pandemic, where hundreds of thousands of returning citizens were successfully received and reintegrated into the country.”
South Africa is home to millions of African migrants, including Zimbabweans.
Estimates indicate that at least over a million Zimbabweans are residing in South Africa legally and illegally.
Over the past years, they have been victims of xenophobic attacks and raids by members of Dudula, who accuse them of stealing their jobs.
In 2019, Zimbabwean authorities evacuated over 200 of its nationals from South Africa following deaths of two locals in xenophobic violence.
Ahead of that country’s elections this year, some opposition parties promised to deport Zimbabweans and other African nationals if they win the vote.