Zim refugees return home in dribs and drabs

Chakalisa Dube | Friday October 12, 2018 13:30

According to reports an estimated three million Zimbabweans fled the country at the peak of the 2008 political persecution and hyper-inflationary pressure and sought refuge in the diaspora most particularly in South Africa and Botswana.

Mmegi has established that 12 refugees were repatriated from the Dukwi refugee camp to Zimbabwe last week Friday. The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence Justice and Security, Dimpho Mogami confirmed the repatriation.

“They continue to return in dribs and drabs but I do not have more details,” she said before she insisted on a questionnaire.

According to a representative of Zimbabwean refugees in Dukwi, Weza Bhekimpilo, there are about 640 Zimbabwean refugees at the Dukwi camp excluding the recently repatriated lot. “In total there were 17 people who were supposed to be repatriated last week Friday but others could not go because they were yet to be properly cleared,” Bhekimpilo said yesterday.

Early this year, the Zimbabwean government appealed to Zimbabwean refugees in Botswana to return home, as there was a new dispensation in the country following the ousting of Robert Mugabe as president.

“The situation has changed and we will actually ensure that they (refugees) come back home without any victimisation or retribution,’’ said the Home Affairs minister, Obert Mpofu during his visit to Botswana.

Then, Mpofu had a meeting with Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Shaw Kgathi and then Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Edwin Batshu to discuss the situation of Zimbabweans at Dukwi. He then proceeded to Dukwi to address refugees and understand their plight.

Some of the Zimbabweans who were housed at the Dukwi refugee camp returned before this year’s elections in Zimbabwe. Then 26 Zimbabweans were repatriated.

Although the government has not declared when a decision to declare cessation of Zimbabweans’ refugee status will be reached ,the government has in recent months amplified its voice of encouragement to the Zimbabwean refugees to return home.

Botswana believes that there is no longer conflict nor security fears of any form in Zimbabwe given the fact that security clearances had been given for the safe return of the citizens.

Since 2014, Botswana has been encouraging Zimbabweans to return home since the situation in their country had stabilised. However, it was until long-time ruler Mugabe was ousted by the military that people started showing strong interest of returning home.