FULL TEXT: Zimbabwean Embassy In South Africa Travel Advisory - 04 May 2020

This notice is a follow up to our communication, dated 30 April 2020 and three earlier notices of 2 May 2020, informing of the engagement of Intercity Express/ Eagle Liner, Northworld DNC Luxury Coaches and Mzansi Express for the provision of transport services to Zimbabweans who have expressed interest in self-funded repatriation from South Africa to Zimbabwe during the lockdown period.

Please be informed that Shimbeni Enterprises and Projects trading as Delta Coaches has also been engaged as one of the transport service providers tasked with the responsibility to transport Zimbabweans from South Africa to quarantine centres in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.

The agreement with Delta Coaches entails the following:

i. SERVICE OFFERED

Delta Coaches will offer transportation service from Gauteng (Johannesburg), North West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State to quarantine centres in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.

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The service will be demand-driven and offered weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The actual departure dates will be dependent on the granting of necessary authorizations from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa (DIRCO). However, 6 May 2020 is the envisioned date of departure for the first trip.

The pickup point in Johannesburg will be Delta Depot 5 Prop Street, Selby Johannesburg. The pick-up point in North West will be outside Waterfall Mall 1, Augrabies Avenue, Rustenburg.

The pick-up point in Mpumalanga Province will be outside the Ridge Casino Cnr N4 and Mandela Street. The pick-up point in KwaZulu-Natal Province will be Durban Station/Sun 1 Hotel Masabala Yengwa Drive. Whilst in Free State Province, the pick-up point will be Bloemfontein N1 North Engen Garage. (It is important to adhere to the lockdown restrictions on gatherings as set by the South African Government).

Time slots offered for departure from all the pick-up points for the service will be 1100 hours.

ii. COST AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

The bus fare from Gauteng (Johannesburg) will be R550 (excluding luggage). The bus fare from North West will be R700 (excluding luggage). The bus fare from Mpumalanga will be R700 (excluding luggage). The bus fare from KwaZulu-Natal will be R900 (excluding luggage).

Whilst the bus fare from Free State will be R900 (excluding luggage). Luggage will be charged separately and payable at the pickup point on the day of departure.

Payments will be done electronically via Computicket, https://www.computickettravel.com. Payments can also be done at Shoprite and Checkers outlets. The sale of tickets will commence on 4 May 2020.

iii. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Delta Coaches will provide the Embassy and Consulate with the passenger manifest and bus details prior to each trip for clearance with both the South African and Zimbabwean authorities.

The buses’ carrying capacity will be limited to 70% in order to comply with the South African lockdown loading regulations for public transport.

iv. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All prospective passengers should have the requisite travel documents before paying for the trip. (Those without travel documents should urgently contact Consulate to apply for a temporary travel document before booking.)

V. CONTACT PERSON (S) AND DETAILS

For enquiries and assistance with the transport bookings, interested persons should use the following Delta Coaches contact details:

Mr Senzo Masuku Mobile Number: +2773 900 5023 Landline: +2711 338 5464

Ms Babongile Mzizi Mobile Number: +2772 891 4684 Landline: +27 11 338 5464 Email Address: david@shimbeni.co.za

Please note that consultations with other bus operators are currently ongoing with a view to cover all the provinces.

Similar announcements will be made once agreements have been concluded.

Also, note that all returning residents will be subjected to twenty-one (21) days mandatory quarantine at designated Quarantine Centers in Beitbridge upon crossing into Zimbabwe at Government cost.

Separate announcements regarding assisted repatriation will be made through the usual channels once the processes have been finalized.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT CONSULAR ASSISTANCE IS FREE OF CHARGE AND THAT THE EMBASSY AND THE TWO CONSULATES DO NOT HAVE AGENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA. USE THE AVAILABLE OFFICIAL CHANNELS TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY OF INFORMATION WHENEVER YOU ARE IN DOUBT.