HARARE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe government on Thursday repatriated 96 nationals from Gauteng Province, South Africa, as xenophobic attacks in the neighboring country intensify.
The group is part of 171 Zimbabweans who were affected by the disturbances.
The state-controlled Herald newspaper reported Friday that the government had activated the Civil Protection Unit to assist the returnees on arrival at Beitbridge Border Post.
The returnees will be helped with social protection issues at the Reception and Support Center, which is run by the Department of Social Welfare and has a carrying capacity of about 1,000 people.
Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi said the returnees had volunteered to be repatriated to their homes.
"A total of 171 Zimbabweans were affected and 96 have decided to come home," he said. "The Government of Zimbabwe paid for their repatriation."
Zimbabwe in 2015 repatriated 1,500 nationals from Durban following xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu Natal Province.
