.…accuse ‘uncaring’ Govt of extorting stranded citizens
TellZim Reporter
Quarantined people who recently
came back from neighbouring countries under the government’s repatriation
programme accuse government of extorting money from stranded citizens by charging
them exorbitant repatriation fees.
came back from neighbouring countries under the government’s repatriation
programme accuse government of extorting money from stranded citizens by charging
them exorbitant repatriation fees.
TellZim managed to speak to some
of the repatriates who came through Beitbridge border post a few days ago, and
they complained that government was not taking care of its citizens stranded
abroad, but was instead taking advantage of their desperate situation to milk
them dry.
of the repatriates who came through Beitbridge border post a few days ago, and
they complained that government was not taking care of its citizens stranded
abroad, but was instead taking advantage of their desperate situation to milk
them dry.
The repatriates are now housed in
different quarantine venues across the country, with those in Masvingo
accommodated at Masvingo Teachers’ College.
different quarantine venues across the country, with those in Masvingo
accommodated at Masvingo Teachers’ College.
“Our group was based in Western
Cape. We sent email to the consulate telling them we were in distress and they acknowledged
receipt but many days passed before hearing any other word from them.
Cape. We sent email to the consulate telling them we were in distress and they acknowledged
receipt but many days passed before hearing any other word from them.
“We were then informed that buses
were now available but we needed to pay R1200 each as bus fare. We were initially
told that we would be issued with free-of-charge Temporary Travel Documents
(TTDs) whether or not you had a valid passport but it suddenly changed and we had to
pay R500 plus R70 for passport-size photos at the consulate in Cape Town. It
was a robbery,” said one repatriate.
were now available but we needed to pay R1200 each as bus fare. We were initially
told that we would be issued with free-of-charge Temporary Travel Documents
(TTDs) whether or not you had a valid passport but it suddenly changed and we had to
pay R500 plus R70 for passport-size photos at the consulate in Cape Town. It
was a robbery,” said one repatriate.
Another one said many people in
South Africa are still desperate to come back home but do not have bus fare.
South Africa are still desperate to come back home but do not have bus fare.
“There is no help for you if you
don’t have bus fare. Many people are stuck in Johannesburg and Pretoria and
they are hungry. The landlords do not care about the Covid-19 lockdown and they want their rent. I was lucky because a workplace friend helped. I think it’s
unfair for desperate people to be exploited in that way,” he said.
don’t have bus fare. Many people are stuck in Johannesburg and Pretoria and
they are hungry. The landlords do not care about the Covid-19 lockdown and they want their rent. I was lucky because a workplace friend helped. I think it’s
unfair for desperate people to be exploited in that way,” he said.
Other sources said people quarantined
at Masvingo Teacher’s College were demanding their money back, saying
government bore a responsibility to cater for its citizens in times of great
distress.
at Masvingo Teacher’s College were demanding their money back, saying
government bore a responsibility to cater for its citizens in times of great
distress.
TellZim contacted government
spokesperson Nick Mangwana who said all distressed citizens should contact the
Zimbabwe Consulate which he said would liaise with the International
Organisation for Migration (IOM)for them to be helped to come back home.
spokesperson Nick Mangwana who said all distressed citizens should contact the
Zimbabwe Consulate which he said would liaise with the International
Organisation for Migration (IOM)for them to be helped to come back home.
He referred further questions to Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi who said it was not
true that people with valid passports were required to pay for TTDs.
true that people with valid passports were required to pay for TTDs.
“Only people whose stay in South
Africa is not regular are required to pay for TTDs. That allows us to
facilitate their travel in a lawful manner. It’s unfortunate that people have
to pay for their own bus tickets because we don’t have money. We however expect
that by next week, we will be able to pay for those who cannot afford because
we are mobilising money,” said Hamadziripi.
Africa is not regular are required to pay for TTDs. That allows us to
facilitate their travel in a lawful manner. It’s unfortunate that people have
to pay for their own bus tickets because we don’t have money. We however expect
that by next week, we will be able to pay for those who cannot afford because
we are mobilising money,” said Hamadziripi.
He said authorities will also be
issuing free-of-charge repatriation certificates to allow those without valid
passports to travel back home.
issuing free-of-charge repatriation certificates to allow those without valid
passports to travel back home.
