Zimbabwe’s insurance company Zimnat enters South African funeral insurance market

By Wallace Mawire

 Zimbabwe’s  Zimnat Group has extended its insurance arm into South Africa to enable Zimbabweans living there to take out insurance cover for funeral expenses, including the cost of bringing their bodies back to Zimbabwe should they die in South Africa.

Various news sources have reported an increase in the number of Zimbabweans illegally smuggling the bodies of relatives into Zimbabwe from South Africa, since the cost of a decent journey back home for burial falls beyond the reach of many.

In response to this undignified way of bringing back home the body of someone who may have spent years away from home working in a foreign land, Zimnat International Services was formed,  providing affordable funeral cover to Zimbabweans living in South Africa, thus ensuring that in the event of death they are brought back home with dignity.

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.

Premiums are payable in rands. The benefit is also paid in rands. A family of six can be covered for R90 000 for just R150 per month, meaning that each person is covered for R15 000.

There is no waiting period for accidental death. The principal member can add family members back home to the plan. The plan also covers COVID-19 related deaths. No medical examinations are required before taking out the cover.

Zimnat Group chief executive officer Mustafa Sachak said the Group had been moved by the plight of Zimbabweans dying in South Africa, whose families are unable to find the funds for repatriation of their bodies, leading to them resorting to undignified means of bringing their bodies home.

“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.

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