The United Nations Human Rights Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has denied running a repatriation programme that promised Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa R7000, computers and other equipment to start up businesses once back home. Last month it was reported the refugees signed up for the programme on the back of these promises but once back home nothing was delivered.

Speaking to Newsreel on Wednesday Tina Ghelli the UNHCR representative for Southern Africa said they ran a repatriation programme for refugees living at the Central Methodist church in Johaneesburg some time in July this year. She said this programme was at the request of the refugees who wanted to go back home but did not have the resources to do so. Since the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were already running repatriation programmes in the region the UNHCR asked them to help repatriate the most vulnerable refugees.

'IOM assisted UNHCR by arranging pre-travel medical checks and transport, and providing escorts to facilitate returnees as required to their country of origin. IOM provided bus transport from South Africa to major drop-off points in Zimbabwe and covered the cost of transportation from these points to each returnee's final destination,' a joint UNHCR and IOM statement read.

Ghelli told us R200 was given to each returnee to cover 'incidental expenses during the remainder of his or her journey home.' This allowance was provided at the IOM Reception and Support Centre in Beitbridge to each returnee against a signed receipt.

'Throughout the cross-border journey IOM provides refreshments for the returnees as needed, and once at Beitbridge, they were given a hot meal.

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, UNHCR provided blankets, kitchen sets and soap, as part of the return package. The returnees were also supported through legal assistance and psycho social counseling. For those returning to rural areas, seeds and hoes were made available,' the groups said.

So why the confusion? Ghelli said during the registration process the returnees were asked to list down their skills and this she says might have raised expectations. She explained that all returnees receive a pre-departure briefing in which all aspects of the return and assistance that will be provided are explained to them.