Zimbabwe’s Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa has issued a travel advisory for Zimbabwean citizens intending to return home from the neighbouring country during the lockdown period. Below is the advisory.
Reference is made to Zimbabwe’s Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020: Public Health (COVIO-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020: permitting the re-entry of citizens and returning residents during the lockdown period.
In order to ensure a predictable, smooth and orderly repatriation process which is compliant with the Covid 19 health protocols: travellers and bus operators should be guided as follows:
• ALL bus operators involved in the repatriation of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa are; with immediate effect required to obtain travel clearance from the Consulate of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg two cloys before the intended departure date. This applies to all, except for those travelling from the Cape Provinces who should approach the Zimbabwe Consulate in Cape Town for clearance.• In order to obtain the Consulate clearance, bus operators are required to submit the following documents; (i) A passenger manifest which is compliant with the 70% carrying capacity. Please note that the number of passengers should NOT Be LESS THAN 70%, (The passenger manifest should contain the following mandatory information; Passengers’ Full Names. Passport/Temporary Travel Document number. Vehicle and Trailer Registration details, Final Destination in Zimbabwe and Driver(s)’ Identification Details).
• Please note that the repartition exercise is strictly on a non-commercial basis.
• AU. passengers and bus crew are required to hove Covid-19 Free Certificates which are within the 48 hours validity for presentation at the port of entry.
• Requests for clearance should be submitted to: admin@zimbabweconsulate.co.za and should be clearly marked “Request for Repatriation Clearance”.
• To avoid congestion at the port of entry a maximum of five (5) buses will be cleared to travel per day. Requests will be considered on g first come first serve basis.
• Bus operators must ensure that all passengers are in possession of the requisite travel documents prior to the purchasing of travel tickets. (Those without travel documents should urgently visit the Consulate to apply for a Temporary Travel Document (TTD).
• Please note that TTD applicants are not required to make an appointment before visiting the Consulate.
Attached for ease of reference, please find the passenger manifest template to be submitted to the Consulate for the departure clearance. (Annexure I)PLEASE NOTE
• THOSE BUSES THAT DO NOT MEET THE ABOVE CONDITIONS WILL NOT BE CLEARED FOR ENTRY 8Y THE ZIMBABWE AUTHORITIES.
• THE CLEARANCE OF BUSES IS FREE OF CHARGE
• THE EMBASSY AND THE TWO CONSULATES DO NOT HAVE AGENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
• CLIENTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE THE AVAILABLE OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY OF INFORMATION WHENEVER THEY ARE IN DOUBT.
