News / Local
Undocumented Zimbabweans in South Africa are criminals - Ambassador Mavimbela claims
29 Mar 2012 at 12:11hrs | Views
The South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela said all undocumented Zimbabweans in his country would be flushed out as they cannot reside there without proper papers.
Speaking in Bulawayo on the sidelines of an investment seminar today, Mavimbela said they suspect that most Zimbabweans who did not apply for permits have criminal records.
"Both governments have an agreement as to the Zimbabwe nationals in South Africa. A documentation exercise was undertaken and was concluded.
"It means that those that applied and proved that they are employed in South Africa or are studying there got the papers. But there are some that did not get the papers as their did not bother tot approach government toget proper documentations.
"Some have criminal records are we detected that during that exercise. Such people would be sent back here"
Mavimbela denied that Zimbabweanse deported are ill-treated at detention centers.
"We have heard several such reports but we cannot verify it. So to us no one has come to report such cases" said Mavimbela.
Over 250 000 Zimbabweans have been regularised so far. The South African government has ruled out an extension of the process that has been going on for the past two years.
Recently it was revealed that 14932 deportees came through Beitbridge border post since October last year.
"Between January 1 and March 2, 7177 Zimbabweans were brought back home," Charles Gwede, assistant regional manage -in-charge of Beitbridge border post was quoted saying.
Speaking in Bulawayo on the sidelines of an investment seminar today, Mavimbela said they suspect that most Zimbabweans who did not apply for permits have criminal records.
"Both governments have an agreement as to the Zimbabwe nationals in South Africa. A documentation exercise was undertaken and was concluded.
"It means that those that applied and proved that they are employed in South Africa or are studying there got the papers. But there are some that did not get the papers as their did not bother tot approach government toget proper documentations.
"Some have criminal records are we detected that during that exercise. Such people would be sent back here"
Mavimbela denied that Zimbabweanse deported are ill-treated at detention centers.
"We have heard several such reports but we cannot verify it. So to us no one has come to report such cases" said Mavimbela.
Over 250 000 Zimbabweans have been regularised so far. The South African government has ruled out an extension of the process that has been going on for the past two years.
Recently it was revealed that 14932 deportees came through Beitbridge border post since October last year.
"Between January 1 and March 2, 7177 Zimbabweans were brought back home," Charles Gwede, assistant regional manage -in-charge of Beitbridge border post was quoted saying.
Source - Byo24News
