Zimbabwe’s Joburg consulate temporarily closed after 2 officers test positive for Covid-19
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa.(News of the South)-Zimbabwe’s Johannesburg consulate has temporarily closed after 2 officers tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of recorded positive cases among consulate staff and dependents to six.
By Almot Maqolo
Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the officers who tested positive had been to Limpopo and Lindela Detention Centre to screen and assist Zimbabweans who were being repatriated home.
“The Consulate is now offering most of its services online to reduce the exposure of officers to contact with those seeking consular services,” she said.
“Meanwhile, two of those who tested positive have been checked into an isolation lodge away from their families.”
Zimbabwe continues to facilitate the repatriation of its citizens from South Africa as 2600 people initially registered for repatriation.
“In this regard, 137 Zimbabwean nationals were repatriated from Durban and KZN on 19 June 2020,” she said.
On the repatriation of students from foreign countries, it has been established that there are no students on government scholarships who have signaled a desire to be repatriated back home.
However, the only exceptions were 5 students from India, who have since arrived in the country.
“Negotiations are underway with financial institutions to set up an ad-hoc ticket loan facility that could enable the purchase of tickets by families who wish to repatriate students who have been self-funding their studies abroad.
“Families in Zimbabwe would be able to borrow money from such a facility to purchase one-way tickets. The terms and conditions of such a loan facility would be subject to the financial institutions’ internal policies,” Mutsvangwa said.
Mutsvangwa lauded staff at the country’s embassies and consulates abroad that have been working and liaising with citizens and students to ensure their smooth repatriation back home.
Comments
About Author
