2 September 2010

Press Statement

ZEF Condemns as Insensitive the South African Gvt Decision to Begin Deportations to Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) today reacted angrily to an announcement that the South African government will soon begin deportations to Zimbabwe. In a post-cabinet announcement today, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said that deportations to Zimbabwe will commence after the 31st of December, saying that a special dispensation put in place for Zimbabweans will cease to operate. Under the special dispensation, Zimbabweans could enter South Africa and work for a total of 3 months before renewing the temporary permits.

ZEF Executive Director and Human Rights Lawyer Gabriel Shumba responded today that the decision by the South African Cabinet was “callous, arbitrary and in violation of the Bilateral Agreement between South Africa and Zimbabwe that was announced with so much pomp and fan-fare.” Mr Shumba went on to say that “we could be excused to think that the so-called deal was a scheme designed to hoodwink us as to the real purpose of it: to obtain cheap labour from Zimbabwe before the World Cup. More poignant is the fact that the resumption of deportations is announced before any adequate measures are put in place to ensure that the asylum seeking process has been made more accessible, and before the Special Permit has been put in place. This can only mean that corrupt police and immigration officials as well as those who arrest to meet the supply needs of Lindela are back in business, especially as Zimbabwe faces another election.” Mr Shumba also condemned the announcement as “ill-timed because of its implications for xenophobia”.

ZEF believes that the withdrawal of the special dispensation for Zimbabweans should have been taken after consultation with the Zimbabwean Government as well as civil society in and outside Zimbabwe. The unilateral announcement undermines the goodwill that had developed between civil society and other arms of government, especially the Home Affairs Dpt. ZEF therefore urges government to reconsider the decision and to make efforts to consult more. Asked whether there would be a basis for legal action, Mr Shumba said that all avenues are being explored.

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