Government has repatriated 54 Zimbabweans from Mozambique, mainly cross-border traders caught up in the state of emergency declared in that country at the end of March to fight Covid-19.

While goverment is busy repatriating the poor citizens, deputy minister of industry and commerce Raj Modi has remained living in luxury in Australia for three months.

The 61-year-old was travelling on business when Australia imposed a lockdown on March 20, before Zimbabwe closed its borders to foreigners on March 30.

Modi reportedly owns three supermarkets in Australia and runs a liquor wholesale business in Bulawayo.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana confirmed Modi’s lengthy absence.

“I can confirm that deputy minister Modi is in Australia and is making arrangements to come back home,” Mangwana said.

The 54 Zimbabweans who came on Sunday from Mozambique, take the total number of citizens assisted to return home since the outbreak of Covid-19 to 252.

The repatriation was done with cooperation from the Mozambican government.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Douglas Nyikayaramba, confirmed the development to The Herald last night.

“I can confirm that the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of Mozambique in Maputo is repatriating Zimbabwean nationals mainly cross-border traders who were caught up in the State of Emergency declared on 31st March 2020 by His Excellency President (Filipe) Nyusi to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

“To date, a total of 252 nationals have departed Maputo for Harare via Chicualacuala/Sango Border Post in five separate groups,” said Ambassador Nyikayaramba.