Zimbabweans living in South Africa beg to return home

Some Zimbabweans living in South Africa are appealing for help to return home as the covid 19 lockdown intensifies in the southern African country. Most people who had flocked to South Africa to look for greener pastures are crying foul over pathetic living conditions as a result of the lockdown. Most people survive on part time jobs and the lockdown has made jobs scarce. They can barely survive and are unable to feed themselves.

One person opens up and said it was time to head back to Zimbabwe.Mukaro says the decision to return to Zimbabwe was not easy. “There are no jobs in Zimbabwe and the economic and political situation is bad. I am between a rock and a hard place,” she says.In a statement earlier this month, the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria outlined some of the conditions for those applying for voluntary repatriation: “The Embassy wishes to advise members of the community that the government of South Africa allows for the voluntary, orderly repatriation of foreign nationals to their countries of origin during the lockdown period.”Zimbabwean Consul General Melody Chaurura told GroundUp that they were compiling a list of people willing to be repatriated. She refused to say how many people had already applied.“We also urge our members to practice the spirit of ubuntu by spreading this offer to other members who may want to go home on voluntary repatriation. We encourage members with access to the internet and Facebook to help others,” said Chaurura.

Those returning to Zimbabwe were warned to prepare for compulsory quarantine for three weeks. A group of people who were repatriated from the UK are currently housed at Belvedere teachers college. Of the 32 that had returned 3 tested positive for the corona virus.

Zimbabwe has had four deaths due to covid 19. The initial 21 day lockdown was extended by a further two weeks.