News / National
Deportation of illegal Zimbabweans in South Africa to commence immediately
04 Oct 2011 at 04:49hrs | Views
SOUTH AFRICA will, with immediate effect, start deporting illegal Zimbabwean immigrants following the expiry of the July 31 deadline to regularise their stay in that country.
This marks the end of an amnesty on Zimbabweans living illegally in South Africa.
The amnesty paving way for Zimbabweans to regularise their stay ran from May 5, 2009 to July 31 this year.
South Africa received and processed over 275 000 applications from Zimbabweans regularising their stay there.
South Africa's Home Affairs Department communicated the decision to their Zimbabwean counterparts last Thursday.
The two countries' officials are expected to meet today.
The blitz will target those without passports and others trying to enter the country through illegal points.
Beitbridge assistant regional Immigration Officer (operations) Mrs Tamari Shadaya confirmed the new development yesterday.
"We received a memo from the South African Home Affairs Department on Thursday last week notifying us of their plans to deport undocumented Zimbabweans.
"According to the document, the deportations will commence with immediate effect, though we are yet to receive any repatriates from that country between Thursday and now."
She said the immigration department had notified all stakeholders in Zimbabwe dealing with migration issues to brace for imminent deportations.
"The deportations will target all undocumented Zimbabweans staying in that country illegally and those border jumpers intercepted on their way to that country."
She confirmed the meeting between Zimbabwean authorities and their South African counterparts.
"Some of the issues under discussion will include the anticipated volumes of the deportees and how they would be handled.
"From past experience, we believe that there would be a huge influx of undocumented Zimbabweans coming into the country through Beitbridge Border Post."
She said the meeting will also discuss the vetting of the deportees.
"We would also want to urge our people to always travel legally so that they avoid some of these inconveniences," Mrs Shadaya said.
Deportees will be temporarily housed at the International Organisation for Migration reception centre here.
The centre offers overnight accommodation and transport to deportees.
It accommodates an average of 600 people per day both adults and children.
Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans live and work in South Africa.
This marks the end of an amnesty on Zimbabweans living illegally in South Africa.
The amnesty paving way for Zimbabweans to regularise their stay ran from May 5, 2009 to July 31 this year.
South Africa received and processed over 275 000 applications from Zimbabweans regularising their stay there.
South Africa's Home Affairs Department communicated the decision to their Zimbabwean counterparts last Thursday.
The two countries' officials are expected to meet today.
The blitz will target those without passports and others trying to enter the country through illegal points.
Beitbridge assistant regional Immigration Officer (operations) Mrs Tamari Shadaya confirmed the new development yesterday.
"We received a memo from the South African Home Affairs Department on Thursday last week notifying us of their plans to deport undocumented Zimbabweans.
"According to the document, the deportations will commence with immediate effect, though we are yet to receive any repatriates from that country between Thursday and now."
"The deportations will target all undocumented Zimbabweans staying in that country illegally and those border jumpers intercepted on their way to that country."
She confirmed the meeting between Zimbabwean authorities and their South African counterparts.
"Some of the issues under discussion will include the anticipated volumes of the deportees and how they would be handled.
"From past experience, we believe that there would be a huge influx of undocumented Zimbabweans coming into the country through Beitbridge Border Post."
She said the meeting will also discuss the vetting of the deportees.
"We would also want to urge our people to always travel legally so that they avoid some of these inconveniences," Mrs Shadaya said.
Deportees will be temporarily housed at the International Organisation for Migration reception centre here.
The centre offers overnight accommodation and transport to deportees.
It accommodates an average of 600 people per day both adults and children.
Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans live and work in South Africa.
Source - TH
