Former intelligence operatives give evidence in asylum hearing

By Tichaona Sibanda
5 July, 2006

The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the AA test case in London was on Tuesday given a chilling account of how state security agents ‘deal with undesirable elements’of the opposition MDC party in Zimbabwe.

At one point the tribunal had to be held in camera following a request from solicitors representing AA because a key witness in the hearing identified two central intelligence organisation agents in the gallery.

A source told us Wednesday the judge had to ask everyone to leave except solicitors from the Home Office and those representing ‘AA’. The source added that the nature of evidence that was heard thereafter was ‘very sensitive’ and the judge had no option but to protect the witness.

The key witness, the first of three former intelligence operatives to give evidence in court, gave a chilling account of how failed asylum seekers are likely to be treated as soon as they set foot at Harare International airport.

‘The evidence was from a person who was in the system for many years and the account given in court left the judges shocked. The witness was speaking from past experience in the job and no-one doubted his credibility which was a massive blow for the Home Office,’ the source said.

The AA asylum case is meant to determine whether it is safe to return failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers back home. The home office has already submitted its evidence and declared that it is safe to return the failed asylum seekers.

They also told the hearing Monday that a full time member of staff is now based at the British Embassy in Harare to monitor the welfare of returnees and that this will also ensure their safety. But a host of other witnesses testifying on behalf of AA have tacitly agreed that the country is still unsafe and failed asylum seekers would be at risk if returned home.