Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, said a team has been sent to work with the South African government to verify whether any Zimbabwean nationals were among those rescued or who perished at the abandoned Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province.
South African authorities reported that 87 illegal miners from various nationalities lost their lives in the North West mine disaster.
Despite South African police blocking water and food from reaching the mine as part of an operation called “Vala Umgodi,” many of the “zama zamas” continued to resist emerging from the mine shafts in Stilfontein, fearing arrest.
In a statement, Hamadziripi said that the Zimbabwean Embassy is working to determine if any Zimbabwean nationals are among the deceased. He said:
<blockquote>
The Embassy wishes to inform members of the public that it is working closely with the South African government to identify and verify the nationalities of the alleged Zimbabwe nationals retrieved from the Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province under the ongoing rescue operations.
Further to screening the 465 alleged undocumented Zimbabwe nationals currently in South African Police Service (SAPS) custody, the Embassy is seeking to establish whether there are any Zimbabwe nationals among 87 deceased individuals retrieved at the shaft, whose identities and nationalities are yet to be established.
</blockquote>
Hamadziripi said the embassy is working to identify the deceased individuals through Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing of their relatives.
He urged Zimbabweans who believe their relatives might be among those rescued from the mine disaster in Stilfontein to urgently contact the Consulate in Johannesburg.
Those with information can reach the Consulate through the Hotline/Emergency Line at +27610373400 or visit the Consulate in person at 20 Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue, Bruma, Johannesburg.
Hamadziripi also assured that the Government of Zimbabwe is making arrangements to assist with the repatriation of remains once they are positively identified as Zimbabwean nationals.
On Friday night, the Zimbabwean Consul-General in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, reported that 10 Zimbabweans who had been rescued appeared in court and were fined R15,000 (or given a six-month jail sentence, wholly suspended) for illegal mining. These people were deported earlier in the week.

Pindula News

The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa is trying to find out if any Zimbabwean people were hurt or killed in a mine accident. 87 illegal miners died in the mine. Some miners are afraid to come out of the mine because they might be arrested. The embassy is doing DNA testing to identify the bodies of the miners. They are asking families to come forward if they think their relatives were involved. The Zimbabwean government will help bring the bodies back home if they are Zimbabwean. Ten Zimbabweans who were rescued have been fined for illegal mining.

Zimbabwean Embassy Begins Verification Of Illegal Miners Who Perished In South African Mine

South African authorities have enlisted the help of Zimbabwean diplomats in the neighbouring country to identify and repatriate the remains of several illegal miners recovered from an abandoned mine in Stilfontein.
As reported by <a href="https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/16/zimbabwean-officials-roped-in-to-id-repatriate-remains-of-illegal-stilfontein-miners">EWN</a>, among the more than 80 zama zamas who died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine during a police crackdown on illegal mining, many were undocumented Zimbabwean nationals.
Nearly 2,000 illegal miners, primarily Mozambican nationals, followed by Zimbabweans and BaSothos, were operating at the disused mine.
Acting police commissioner for the province, Patrick Asaneng, confirmed that diplomatic talks between Zimbabwe and South Africa were ongoing. He said:
<blockquote>
They will assist us with the verification and confirmation of their addresses and with engaging with those who are still alive.
</blockquote>
Consular General of Zimbabwe Eria Phiri (pictured above) visited Stilfontein on Thursday. He said:
<blockquote>
So far, we have started with the verification and identification of the 465 who have been brought to the surface alive.
Using the 465, we will try to extract as much information as possible so that we have an indication of who was operating underground.
</blockquote>
On Wednesday, South African police announced the end of the rescue operation at the abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, believing they had brought out all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African officials asked Zimbabwean diplomats to help find and bring home the bodies of illegal miners in Stilfontein. Many of the miners who died were from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The police are working with Zimbabwe to identify the miners and contact their families. Nearly 2,000 illegal miners were found at the abandoned mine. The rescue operation is finished, and all the survivors and bodies have been found. Zimbabwean officials are working to identify the miners who were found alive and give information about those who died.

Zimbabwean Diplomats Roped In To Identify, Repatriate Remains Of Illegal Stilfontein Miners

The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg is finalising the repatriation process for some of the 15 Zimbabweans who tragically died in two separate road accidents in South Africa within a week.
In the first incident, ten Zimbabweans lost their lives when a Mzansi Express bus, travelling from Bulawayo to Johannesburg, overturned near Makhado town in Limpopo Province last Tuesday. The accident also left 35 people injured.
The second accident occurred on Sunday near Mokopane town in the same province, involving a Tamuka Coaches bus, which resulted in the deaths of five more Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe Consul-General Eria Phiri visited the scene of the Mokopane accident on Monday and later went to the hospitals to meet with the injured. He said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tamuka-bus-accident-latest-bodies-identified-repatriation-process-underway/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
The Tamuka Coaches bus was carrying 58 passengers and four crew members. It was involved in an accident 8 km before Mokopane tollgate in the Limpopo Province. Five perished on the scene of the accident including the driver.
</blockquote>
Phiri said 10 of the injured passengers were admitted at Mokopane Hospital where six were treated and discharged. He added:
<blockquote>
Two others (one female and one male) are still admitted and of the 10 patients, two requested to be transferred to a medical facility in Johannesburg close to relatives and the request was granted by hospital authorities.
The rest who had no injuries proceeded with the journey to Zimbabwe.
Voortrekker Hospital admitted 24 and all were treated and discharged.
</blockquote>
Phiri revealed that out of the five bodies, four have been positively identified by their relatives, while one male body remains unidentified.
He said the repatriation process for the four identified bodies has already begun. They expect that most of those who perished in the Makhado accident will be repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial by Friday.
In a separate incident, the body of Kudzai Ncube Ndlovhu, who was tragically shot and killed by a white farmer in South Africa’s Limpopo Province and whose remains were disposed of in a pigsty, was repatriated on Monday evening for burial in Manoti, Gokwe South District.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Summary: The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg is helping to bring home 15 Zimbabweans who died in bus crashes in South Africa. Ten people died in one crash and five in another. The Consul-General is identifying the bodies and arranging for them to be taken back to Zimbabwe for burial. Some injured people are staying in a hospital, while others are able to continue their journey. Another person who was killed in a different incident is also being brought back to Zimbabwe for burial. The repatriation process is expected to be completed soon.

Repatriation Process Begins For Zimbabweans Killed In South Africa Bus Crashes

Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, visited the husband of a Zimbabwean woman who was allegedly shot dead by a white farmer and her body fed to pigs at a farm in South Africa’s Limpopo province on Tuesday last week.
The woman, Kudzai Ndlovhu, her husband Mabutho Ncube, and Ndlovhu’s 45-year-old South African friend Maria Makgato were reportedly searching for discarded food at a dumpsite on Onvervaght Farm in Mankweng, outside Polokwane, when they were attacked.
Ndlovhu and Makgato were killed, while Ncube managed to escape with serious injuries and was able to recount the horrific incident. Ncube crawled to the main road, where he received assistance and was transported to the hospital.
The incident was reported, and police discovered the women’s bodies in a pigsty.
Phiri said their visit was to arrange the repatriation of Ndlovhu’s body to Manoti, Gokwe South District, Midlands Province. He stated (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/consul-general-visits-husband-of-murdered-zimbabwean-woman/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
The purpose of our visit was to arrange the repatriation of Kudzai’s body to Gokwe South in Manoti.
</blockquote>
The white farmer appeared in Mankweng Magistrate Court for a bail application, where there was a demonstration outside the courthouse.
On Thursday, South Africa’s Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, condemned the killing.
Farm owner Zachariah Olivier (60) and his two employees, Adriaan de Wet (19) and a Zimbabwean, William Musoro (45), have since appeared at the Mankweng Magistrates Court.
<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 800px"><img alt="Zachariah Johannes Olivier, farm supervisor Andrian Rudolph De Wet and employee William Musora face charges of murder. Picture: NPA" decoding="async" height="450" loading="lazy" src="https://image-prod.iol.co.za/16x9/800/Zachariah-Johannes-Olivier-farm-supervisor-Andrian-Rudolph-De-Wet-and-employee-William-Musora-face-charges-of-murder-Picture-NPA?source=https://iol-prod.appspot.com/image/472a0ef4afe3341cf081f1af36d6b71ee8839110/2000&amp;operation=CROP&amp;offset=0x188&amp;resize=2000x1125" width="800"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Zachariah Johannes Olivier, farm supervisor Andrian Rudolph De Wet and employee William Musora face charges of murder. Picture: NPA</figcaption></figure>
They face two counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Musoro faces a further charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
The matter has been postponed to September 10.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A woman from Zimbabwe was killed and fed to pigs by a white farmer in South Africa. The woman, Kudzai Ndlovhu, was with her husband and a friend when they were attacked while looking for food. The husband survived and reported the incident to the police. The Consul-General of Zimbabwe visited the husband to arrange for the woman's body to be sent home. The white farmer and his employees are facing charges for the murder. The police in South Africa are investigating the case, and the trial has been postponed to September.

Consul-General Visits Husband Of Zimbabwean Woman Killed And Fed To Pigs In South Africa

The government of Zimbabwe will cover the costs of repatriating the bodies of ten citizens who tragically died in a Mzansi Express bus accident in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, South Africa, on Tuesday night.
During a visit to the accident scene, Zimbabwe’s Consul-General in South Africa, Eria Phiri (pictured), alongside Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said that efforts are underway to identify the victims. He said (via <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/920470-2/">SABC News</a>):
<blockquote>
We are still trying to verify the real identity of those who perished in the accident. We have got 10 and so far, I think we still have seven who are still admitted in various hospitals here in Makhado and 32 were treated and discharged.
We’re right now in contact with the families back home in Zimbabwe, firstly to ascertain the identities of those who are in the mortuary. So far, two have been positively identified by their relatives.
The government of Zimbabwe will start facilitation of the repatriation, all the costs towards the repatriation of the deceased are going to be met by the government of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
The victims of the bus crash include five women and five men, all Zimbabwean nationals. They were en route to Gauteng, South Africa, from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Reports indicate that the bus overturned after the driver, who was reportedly unfamiliar with the area, sped over a roundabout on the N1 highway near Makhado.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Zimbabwe government will pay to bring back the bodies of 10 people who died in a bus crash in South Africa. They are working to identify the victims, and some are still in the hospital. The victims were Zimbabwean and were traveling to Gauteng from Bulawayo. The bus flipped over because the driver didn't know the area well. The government will cover all the costs of bringing the bodies back to Zimbabwe.

Government To Cover Costs Of Repatriating Bodies Of Mzansi Express Bus Crash Victims

Zimbabweans living in South Africa have expressed strong dismay over the passport fees for diasporans announced by the government, and have called for the fees to be lowered.
In a public notice issued on Friday, July 26th, Zimbabwe’s Consul General Eria Phiri announced the new passport application fees for Zimbabweans in South Africa. He said:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has directed that, all e- passport applications that are processed at the Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa shall be handled as express/ emergency applications in terms of Statutory Instrument 1 of 2024.
In effect, this means passport application fees for the express/ emergency passport shall be USD250.00 charged at the prevailing USD/ZAR exchange rate with effect from Monday 29 July 2024.
</blockquote>
An ordinary passport that takes seven days to process costs US$150 in Zimbabwe, with an additional US$20 “application fee.”
Zimbabweans based in South Africa will pay the equivalent of US$250 plus the equivalent of US$20 “application fee.”
Debating the issue on “This Morning on Asakhe,” a <a href="https://cite.org.zw/outcry-over-high-e-passport-costs-from-zimbabweans-in-sa/">CITE</a> daily current affairs programme on X, participants said the fee was steep and appealed to the government to reduce it.
A participant, Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
This fee is exorbitant. I once applied for a passport while I was here and sent the forms back home. There are additional costs like R80 for pictures and R300 for forms, which makes the total amount very high… If only they could reduce it to at least US$170, it would be better.
The government should treat us better; we are struggling here. We appeal for a reduction in this fee.
</blockquote>
Another participant, James, said:
<blockquote>
We are very worried about this price. It’s too much. As someone who travels frequently, raising US$250 is going to be very difficult. In Rands, that amount is a lot.
I don’t know how they justify this amount. The government must help its citizens live better lives. People are not earning enough to afford this.
</blockquote>
Alfred Khumalo said:
<blockquote>
For someone to travel from Johannesburg to Harare to apply for a passport and back, it costs about R2,000 in total. This feels like manipulation.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s passport fees are the most expensive in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. An adult passport costs R600 (approximately $33) in South Africa, P260 ($19) in Botswana, and R400 ($23) in Namibia.
In comparison, the Zimbabwean government has set the passport fee for its citizens at $270, which is significantly higher than the fees charged by its regional counterparts.
Zimbabwe’s passport production is being carried out in partnership with Garsu Pasaulis, a Lithuania-registered company owned by Semlex of Belgium.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabweans in South Africa are upset about high passport fees. The government increased fees to USD250 for an express passport. People say it's too expensive. They want the government to lower the price to USD170. Other countries in the region have cheaper passport fees. People are struggling to pay for passports. They want the government to make it easier for them to travel. Zimbabwe's passport production is done with a company from Belgium.

Zimbabweans In South Africa Call On Government To Reduce Passport Fees

Statement by the Consul-General at Zimbabwe’s Embassy in Johannesburg Eria Phiri on Inaugural Matabeleland South Province Hybrid Diaspora Investment Conference scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 July 2024 in Beitbridge:
<blockquote>
PROGRAMME AND CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE MATABELELAND SOUTH PROVINCE HYBRID DIASPORA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE: 4 TO 6 JULY, 2024, BEITBRIDGE
The Consulate of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg has the pleasure to share the attached draft Programme and Concept Note for the Inaugural Matabeleland South Province Hybrid Diaspora Investment Conference scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 July, 2024 in Beitbridge.
The Conference will be hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in collaboration with the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Matabeleland South Province.
This follows the successful hosting of the Second Annual National Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming event that was held in Masvingo in April 2024.
While the Second Annual National Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming event presented broad investment opportunities across the country, the Matabeleland South Investment Conference is specifically tailored to unveil opportunities in the Province that are readily available for uptake by the Diaspora.
The Conference will be held in line with the country’s Devolution agenda of ensuring that Provinces become dynamic economic hubs that attract investments with a view to build strong Provincial economies with explicit Provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers.
In this respect, investment opportunities in the Matabeleland South Province’s Districts namely: Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Insiza, Mangwe, Matobo and Umzingwane, which span across various economic sectors comprising mining, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and energy, among others, will be showcased during the Conference.
The Zimbabwean Diaspora community in South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, among other Diasporans, is invited to participate at the Conference through virtual and physical platforms, as we move forward to build our country, brick upon brick.
Kindly note that the Link for virtual participation will be shared in due course.
For further interaction with the Consulate on all issues of mutual interest, please use the following official channels:-
<ul>
<li>Facebook page: Zimbabweconsulate Boeing Road Bedfordview</li>
<li>Twitter: Zimbabweconsulatejhb</li>
<li>Email: admin@zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
<li>Website: www.zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Inaugural Mat South Hybrid Diaspora Investment Conference Set For 4 To 6 July

Statement by the Consul-General at Zimbabwe’s Embassy in Johannesburg Eria Phiri on Consulate relocation and the roll-out of the e-passport processing centre:
<blockquote>
CONSULATE RELOCATION/ CHANGE OF PHYSICAL ADDRESS AND UPDATE ON THE ROLL OUT OF THE E-PASSPORT PROCESSING CENTRE IN JOHANNESBURG
Reference is made to the above captioned and the Consulate’s Public Notice dated 15 June 2024 on the rollout of the E-Passport Processing Centre in Johannesburg.
The Consulate wishes to advise members of the public that it will relocate from 13A Boeing Road West, Bedfordview, Johannesburg to 20 Ernest Oppenheimer Road, Bruma, Johannesburg with effect from 24 June 2024.
Please be further advised that the System Test/Trial Run period has been extended from 21 June 2024 until further notice.
As already communicated in our previous Public Notice dated 15 June 2024, clients interested in participating in the trial run should take note of the following conditions, prior to visiting the Consulate (at its new address): –
1. The Cost of the E-Passport in Johannesburg: – In compliance with Statutory Instrument 1 of 2024 (Citizenship (Passport Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No.1) the cost of the Ordinary Passport shall be USD150.00 converted to South African Rands on the basis of the previous week’s average USD/ZAR exchange rate.
2. An additional fee of USD20 shall be charged for every electronically readable passport application to obtain a quick response (QR) code (the same conversion rate as in 1 above shall apply.
3. The E-Passport application requirements will be as follows:
<ul>
<li>Original Birth Certificate</li>
<li>Original Identity Document (ID), (metal, plastic or paper IDs are acceptable).</li>
<li>Passport, needed if it is valid. It is not required if it is expired.</li>
<li>Original Marriage Certificate (for married women).</li>
</ul>
N.B: Photos/pictures are not required when applying for an E- Passport.
4. Turn-Over Period/Date of Collection of the E-Passport in Johannesburg: the E-Passport is expected to be ready for collection at the Consulate (at its new address) after seven (7) working days.
Please take note that the trial run will run parallel to the old passport application system.
For further interaction with the Consulate on issues of mutual interest, please use the following official channels: –
<div class="in_article">
<div>
<ul>
<li>Facebook page: Zimbabweconsulate Boeing Road Bedfordview</li>
<li>Twitter: Zimbabweconsulatejhb</li>
<li>WhatsApp: +27828249435</li>
<li>Email: admin@zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
<li>Website: www.zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
<li>Hotline/ Emergency Line: +27664873806</li>
</ul>
Please note that the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria and the two Consulates, namely: Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg and the Zimbabwe Consulate in Cape Town, do not have agents who act on their behalf.
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's Consulate In Joburg Relocated, E-Passport Trial Run Period Extended

The Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, is conducting a trial run of the electronic passport (e-passport) processing centre.
In a public notice, the Consul-General at Zimbabwe’s Embassy in Johannesburg Eria Phiri said the the roll-out of the e-Passport Processing Centre will be in two stages. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>ROLLOUT OF THE E-PASSPORT PROCESSING CENTRE AT THE CONSULATE IN JOHANNESBURG</h2>
Reference is made to our Public Notice dated 15 March 2024 on the roll-out of the e-Passport Processing Centre in Johannesburg.
The Consulate is pleased to advise that it has begun the gradual and phased rollout of the e-Passport application process. The rollout will be in two stages and the anticipated timelines will be as follows: –
<h2>Phase 1: System Test/ Trial Run</h2>
The rollout is currently in its first phase, which entails preliminary processes, among them; the training of Consulate staff (successfully concluded on 15 June 2024) and the System Test/ Trial Run period, which is scheduled to commence from 18 to 21 June 2024.
The trial run period will be open to a limited number of clients, randomly chosen from the existing pool of clients visiting the Consulate at 13 A Boeing Road West, Bedfordview, for passport application under the outgoing system.
The trial run will allow the Consulate to gauge the level of system responsiveness and effectiveness in a real-world environment before the full rollout to the public.
<h2>Phase 2: Full rollout and opening of the e-Passport Processing Centre to all members of the public.</h2>
Before the conclusion of the System Test/ Trial Run Period, i.e. 21 June 2024, the Consulate will issue another public notice with information on the operationalization of the e-Passport Centre to all members of the public.
Clients interested in participating in the System Test/ Trial Run during the period 18 to 24 June 2024, should take note of the following conditions, prior to visiting the Consulate: –
1. The Cost of the e-Passport in Johannesburg: In compliance with Statutory Instrument 1 of 2024 (Citizenship (Passport Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No.1) the cost of the Ordinary Passport shall be USD150.00 converted to South African Rands on the basis of the previous week’s average USD/ZAR exchange rate.
2. An additional fee of USD20 shall be charged for every electronically readable passport application to obtain a quick response (QR) code (the same conversion rate as in 1 above shall apply.
3. The e-Passport application requirements will be as follows:
<ul>
<li>Original Birth Certificate</li>
<li>Original Identity Document (ID), (metal, plastic or paper IDs are acceptable).</li>
<li>Passport, needed if it is valid. It is not required if it is expired.</li>
<li>Original Marriage Certificate (for married women).</li>
</ul>
4. Turn-Over Period/Date of Collection of the e-Passport in Johannesburg; the e-Passport is expected to be ready for collection at the Consulate after seven (7) working days.
5. The mode of payment for the e-Passport will be communicated to all participants on selection.
Please take note that the trial run will run parallel to the old passport application system.
For further interaction with the Consulate on issues of mutual interest, please use the following official channels: –
<ul>
<li>Facebook page: Zimbabweconsulate Boeing Road Bedfordview</li>
<li>Twitter: Zimbabweconsulatejhb</li>
<li>WhatsApp: +27828249435</li>
<li>Email: admin@zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
<li>Website: www.zimbabweconsulate.co.za</li>
<li>Hotline/ Emergency Line: +27664873806</li>
</ul>
Please note that the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria and the two Consulates, namely: Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg and the Zimbabwe Consulate in Cape Town, do not have agents who act on their behalf.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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