Second Batch Of UK Deportees Expected On 26 August
The United Kingdom (UK) government will repatriate the second batch of the remaining 36 Zimbabweans on Thursday this week.
The first batch of 14 arrived in Zimbabwe in July and the deportees have already been integrated with their families.
Initially, 50 were earmarked for repatriation, but only 14 made it as others could not be returned due to last-minute legal challenges and the outbreak of COVID-19 at one of the removal centres.
In an interview with State media on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Constance Chemwayi said:
We are aware that there are some Zimbabweans being deported from the UK arriving on August 26.
The process is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
The UK Border Act 2007 allows the British government to issue a deportation order for a foreign national who has received a custodial sentence of at least 12 months unless an exception applies.
Deportation of foreign criminals is subject to several exceptions, including the European Convention on Human Rights or UK’s obligation under the refugee convention.
All those deported have been provided with the opportunity to raise claims including asylum and human claims before their deportation.
Meanwhile, Chemwayi said all the deportees are welcome back home.
