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Herald Reporter

THE Government is ready to send a delegation to Mozambique to process the repatriation of remains of people washed away into the neighbouring country by Cyclone Idai, which ravaged Manicaland and other parts of the country.

Briefing journalists yesterday after the Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said a report on the 12th Session of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation held in Harare recently, indicated that the country was requesting Mozambique’s cooperation in the repatriation process.

Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the report on the 12th session of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique JPCC to Cabinet.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the JPCC resolved that Zimbabwe should soon submit a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on disaster preparedness and mitigation to Mozambique.

The MoU will incorporate a mechanism for dealing with post-disaster situations including repatriation of the remains.

“Zimbabwe requested Mozambique for its cooperation in the repatriation of the remains of Zimbabweans who were washed away by the floods that were caused by Cyclone Idai and buried in Mozambique.

“Zimbabwe expressed its readiness to send a delegation to Mozambique at the earliest convenience to assist in the process.

“In this regard, the Commission resolved that Zimbabwe would submit to Mozambique a draft MoU on Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation which incorporates a mechanism for dealing with post disaster situations including repatriation of remains,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government will finalise and expedite drafts of MoUs on Sport and Recreation, Cooperation in Youth Affairs, Arts, Culture and Heritage and Social Development.

She also said new areas of cooperation will be introduced under the same committee which include gender affairs, cross border trade and Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Climate-Smart Housing Development and alternative building technologies.

The Minister said under the Public Security Committee, the Commission discussed issues relating to police cooperation in fighting cross-boundary organised crime, immigration authorities’ efforts to formalise some informal crossing points along the border, illegal farm workers, residents and scholars.

Issues relating to the repatriation of Mozambican refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp were also discussed.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Commission urged the Committee to expedite finalisation of MoU on Cooperation in legal issues, transfer of convicted prisoners and the SADC Protocol on Extradition.

“The Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere which reflected the fraternal bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two Sister Republics of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, fortified by a common history and culture, and shared aspirations,” she said.