15 Feb 2021

Zimbabwean immigrants at Dukwi refugee camp have been given two weeks from February 15 until February 28 to have registered for voluntary repatriation to their country.

Addressing the refugees at the camp recently, Ms Thobo Letlhage, director in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security said time was nigh for those that were left in the first repatriation which took place in 2019, to register to return home.

That, she explained followed numerous meetings they had with them regarding their stay at the camp and preparations made for repatriation.

Ms Letlhage said in the last meeting held on December 5, 2019, government, through its partnership with Zimbabwean government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), agreed that what had led them to flee their home had since improved and the environment was also favourable for their return.

“At the time in 2019, they were also given a time frame to register for voluntary repatriation and over 300 of them registered and were assisted to go back home. 

However, the current number still available at the camp is for those that did not register at the time hence further assessments and interviews have been conducted on individuals in preparation for the next repatriation,” she said.

She encouraged them to register,  saying failure to do so would result in deportation via immigration processes.

“Through voluntary repatriation, government will arrange buses to transport them together with all their belongings. Those registered with the clinic for prescribed medication will be given a three-months supply to enable them to register while settling in back home,” she added.

Again, she said those with special needs would be assisted accordingly while completing learners at tertiary would be allowed to complete their studies through the scholarship they had received.

“All registered for the voluntary process will be assisted to get all their official documents including children’s birth certificates for those born here, school and death certificates of deceased loved ones. All this will only be extended to those who are going to be part of the process and those who will not act, will not get to enjoy these benefits thereafter,” she said.

UNHCR legal officer, Ms Olivia Mugambi said as an organisation mandated to protect refugees, research was done and findings showed that it was safe to send refugees back home to unite with fellow countrymen.

“Those who will be going will be given USD$520 cash (about P5 600) as well as food hampers for a three- month period,” she said, thus urging them to take advantage of benefits extended to them.

She appreciated Botswana government for having hosted the refugees for more than a decade.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s  Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro also commended Botswana for their hospitality over the years.

Mr Mukonoweshuro also assured refugees that arrangement had been made in Zimbabwe to welcome those who would be going back, adding they would be assisted with tents to use while they built their homes. “They will also find different government officers at the reception centre in Plumtree who will assist them with documentation,” he said. Ends