Zimnat has moved to provide life cover to Zimbabweans living in South Africa.

The extended offering now enables Zimbabweans in that country to take out funeral insurance, including the cost of bringing their bodies back home should they die in that country, which is a key development in view of the rising number of deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Said Zimnat chief executive officer Mustafa Sachak:

“We believe that we all deserve a decent burial, regardless of where we are. An estimated between one and three million Zimbabweans are currently living and working in South Africa and it is our responsibility as an organisation to make their life better through ensuring they maintain their dignity even in death,” he said.

There have been reports of some Zimbabweans smuggling bodies of their dead relatives into the country since the cost of the journey back home for burial falls beyond the reach of many.

Sachak said Zimnat International Services was formed to provide affordable funeral cover to Zimbabweans living in South Africa to ensure they were brought back home with dignity in the event of death.

The cover, branded Homecoming Plan, pays out a lump sum upon the death of a covered member or a member of his or her family or extended family.

The lump sum can be used to fund repatriation of the body and other funeral expenses to ensure the person is given a befitting send off.

Both premiums and the benefit are paid in Rands.

A family of six can be covered for R90 000 for R150 per month.

According to Zimnat, there is no waiting period for accidental death while the principal member can add family members back home to the plan, which also covers Covid-19 related deaths.

And no medical examinations are required before taking out the cover.

“The Homecoming Plan is the perfect solution for Zimbabweans looking for affordable guaranteed cover that will bring them back home with dignity,” added the CEO.