News / National
600 illegal immigrants deported
06 Aug 2023 at 03:18hrs | Views
NEARLY 600 illegal immigrants were arrested and deported to their countries between January and June this year, while 71 are being investigated for forging police clearances and educational qualifications, latest statistics show.
According to the Department of Immigration, a further 219 foreign nationals are currently being held at various centres across the country, pending deportation.
Other illegal immigrants are serving prison terms for different misdemeanours.
There is growing concern over fake investors, who come into the country pretending to be scouting for opportunities and use their cover to smuggle in unauthorised immigrants as part of their delegations.
North Africans top the list of those involved in immigration fraud.
The smuggled foreigners are said to be largely scattered in mining areas around the country, where they are difficult to track.
It is also believed that some illegal immigrants are quietly settling in low- and high-density suburbs in towns and cities across the country. There are also some "arrival bases" that have reportedly been set up in Harare and other areas.
Department of Immigration chief director Ms Respect Gono said: "While there are positives to derive in attracting investors and expatriates into the country, continued violations of Zimbabwe immigration laws by some foreign nationals remain of concern.
"About 597 foreign nationals were arrested, prosecuted and deported from Zimbabwe for the period extending January 1 to June 30, 2023."
Violation of visa conditions and documentation fraud are topping immigration offences.
"Zimbabwe is currently holding 219 irregular migrants, detained countrywide.
"Some are held pending deportation and others are serving prison sentences, while others are held in custody pending trial."
The numbers are expected to increase.
Added Ms Gono: "Of concern is the surge in cases of foreign nationals, particularly from North Africa, who enter Zimbabwe masquerading as tourists or businesspersons and then start engaging in the sale of kitchenware, carpets and bedding sheets without authorisation
"Their presence is now commonplace in high-density areas . . .
"They would then approach residents while fronting local women, offering goods on a three-month credit facility, and return as and when payment is due.
"They become quite hostile each time a client defaults."
Egyptian nationals Mohammed Ibrahim, Hamed Elkazaz and Ziad Fathy Ali Awad were recently arrested in connection with such offences and their kitchenware was confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), she added.
"While Zimbabwe remains open for business and is welcoming to all foreign nationals genuinely seeking to participate in Zimbabwe's national development, it is a legal requirement that foreign nationals only engage in designated sectors and leave reserved sectors for locals," she said.
There are also reported cases of nationals from East Africa and the Great Lakes Region who enter the country using proper identity documents but later destroy them, before presenting themselves at the Tongogara Refugee Camp as asylum seekers.
In addition, cases of foreign nationals using Zimbabwe as a transit country to South Africa have been increasing.
Presently, 53 cases of Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian nationals entering Zimbabwe masquerading as tourists but whose intentions were to sneak into South Africa have been reported.
Last week, the country launched the National Migration Policy, which provides the Department of Immigration with a framework that strengthens its legislative and institutional apparatus to curb illegal immigration and boost the fight against transnational organised crimes.
But Zimbabwe has also benefitted from human migration.
The country, Ms Gono said, has attracted a significant number of investors over the past five years, predominantly in the mining sector, as evidenced by the number of investors residence permits issued by the Department of Immigration over that period.
Experts such as geologists, engineers, optometrists and medical doctors have equally been granted expatriate permits through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Foreign Recruitment, which is responsible for recruiting personnel with critical skills required in the country.
According to the Department of Immigration, a further 219 foreign nationals are currently being held at various centres across the country, pending deportation.
Other illegal immigrants are serving prison terms for different misdemeanours.
There is growing concern over fake investors, who come into the country pretending to be scouting for opportunities and use their cover to smuggle in unauthorised immigrants as part of their delegations.
North Africans top the list of those involved in immigration fraud.
The smuggled foreigners are said to be largely scattered in mining areas around the country, where they are difficult to track.
It is also believed that some illegal immigrants are quietly settling in low- and high-density suburbs in towns and cities across the country. There are also some "arrival bases" that have reportedly been set up in Harare and other areas.
Department of Immigration chief director Ms Respect Gono said: "While there are positives to derive in attracting investors and expatriates into the country, continued violations of Zimbabwe immigration laws by some foreign nationals remain of concern.
"About 597 foreign nationals were arrested, prosecuted and deported from Zimbabwe for the period extending January 1 to June 30, 2023."
Violation of visa conditions and documentation fraud are topping immigration offences.
"Zimbabwe is currently holding 219 irregular migrants, detained countrywide.
"Some are held pending deportation and others are serving prison sentences, while others are held in custody pending trial."
The numbers are expected to increase.
"Their presence is now commonplace in high-density areas . . .
"They would then approach residents while fronting local women, offering goods on a three-month credit facility, and return as and when payment is due.
"They become quite hostile each time a client defaults."
Egyptian nationals Mohammed Ibrahim, Hamed Elkazaz and Ziad Fathy Ali Awad were recently arrested in connection with such offences and their kitchenware was confiscated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), she added.
"While Zimbabwe remains open for business and is welcoming to all foreign nationals genuinely seeking to participate in Zimbabwe's national development, it is a legal requirement that foreign nationals only engage in designated sectors and leave reserved sectors for locals," she said.
There are also reported cases of nationals from East Africa and the Great Lakes Region who enter the country using proper identity documents but later destroy them, before presenting themselves at the Tongogara Refugee Camp as asylum seekers.
In addition, cases of foreign nationals using Zimbabwe as a transit country to South Africa have been increasing.
Presently, 53 cases of Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian nationals entering Zimbabwe masquerading as tourists but whose intentions were to sneak into South Africa have been reported.
Last week, the country launched the National Migration Policy, which provides the Department of Immigration with a framework that strengthens its legislative and institutional apparatus to curb illegal immigration and boost the fight against transnational organised crimes.
But Zimbabwe has also benefitted from human migration.
The country, Ms Gono said, has attracted a significant number of investors over the past five years, predominantly in the mining sector, as evidenced by the number of investors residence permits issued by the Department of Immigration over that period.
Experts such as geologists, engineers, optometrists and medical doctors have equally been granted expatriate permits through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Foreign Recruitment, which is responsible for recruiting personnel with critical skills required in the country.
Source - The Sunday Mail
