Zimbabwe stops taking African refugees

Zimbabwe has stopped accepting refugees from African countries because it can no longer cope with an influx of immigrants mainly from the Horn of Africa.

The southern African country has for a long time been used by refugees from all over Africa as a transit route to neighbouring South Africa.

Senior immigration official Evans Siziba said refugees were taking advantage of Zimbabwe's hospitality to enter the country.

"We are not going to accept any immigrants from northern countries," Mr Siziba told the government owned Sunday Mail newspaper.

"There are a number of peaceful countries where they can seek refuge. If they are serious refugees, they should go to those countries near them.

"Most of them disappear before their applications for asylum are processed. They are using our country as a transit point into South Africa."

Syndicates

Last month, over 100 Somali refugees were hospitalised at Zimbabwe's border with South Africa after they were infected with malaria.

The Somalis were denied entry into South Africa where they wanted to apply for asylum and were stranded at Zimbabwe's border town of Beitbridge.