HARARE – Twenty-three people escaped from two coronavirus quarantine centres in the last week, 19 of them from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Hotel in Beitbridge.
Most of the Beitbridge escapees are believed to be criminal suspects arrested for allegedly aiding scores of people to make illegal crossings between South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as the illegal movement of goods through undesignated points.
The 19 – who were being held for a mandatory 21-day quarantine – broke out of the facility on Monday night. Some 48 others remained, officials said.
All 19 had been tested for the coronavirus and were negative.
In Chiredzi, police had arrested two escapees from Zaka but three were outstanding – one from Zaka and two from Chipinge.
The five escaped from Rupangwana Isolation Centre in Chiredzi.
Lovemore Chisema, the Chiredzi District Development coordinator said all three men from Zaka had been tested for the coronavirus and were all negative.
“The two men from Chipinge escaped before they were tested,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been detaining returning nationals in quarantine centres across the country for 21 days, during which they are tested for the coronavirus twice before they released. Many detainees complain about facilities at the centres, which sometimes lack basic amenities.
Six hotels and lodges in Harare have been accepting returnees who can pay for their keep, according to government spokesman Ndavaningi Mangwana. The hotels, all in Harare, are Umswidale Lodge, Baines B&B, York Lodge, Malcolm Lodge, Bronte Hotel and 22 Argyle Apartments.
Zimbabwe says it has 46 coronavirus cases including four deaths and 18 recoveries.
