Following the extension of the lockdown by the South African government, some Zimbabwean nationals staying in the country are now contemplating taking the offer to be voluntarily repatriated while at the same time, they are apprehensive over the dire political and economic situation back home.
Some Zimbabweans who spoke to Zimtrending said they can no longer afford to continue staying in South Africa, being informal traders without stable sources of income.
Zimtrending also received emails and messages through our social media platforms that they want to come back home,the cost of living is now too expensive for them, basing on the fact that they were surviving on hand to mouth.
Nancy Mukaro from Motherwell lives in a two-room home with her two children and is separated from her husband. She told the publication that she has not been able to work in weeks. Mukaro said:
I have never worked for one employer for long periods of time whom I could have turned to for assistance. I want to go back home because I can’t afford to pay school fees when things are this tough. I also have to pay rent at the end of the month.
… There are no jobs in Zimbabwe and the economic and political situation is bad. I am between a rock and a hard place.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria early this month invited Zimbabwean nationals resident in the country who are willing to be repatriated to notify it.
Zimbabwean Consul General Melody Chaurura told GroundUp that they were compiling a list of people willing to be repatriated. She said:
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.
