has made any plans with regard to the DA’s call for her department to set up a refugee camp for Zimbabweans fleeing their country.
(The letter follows below.)
The DA suggested this step as a method by which to provide humanitarian aid to the millions of Zimbabweans who have already crossed into South Africa out of desperation for food, and succour and for those who are predicted to come into South Africa as the political and economic chaos in Zimbabwe deteriorates. In addition it is important to lessen the impact of unrestricted migration on the South African community.
Refugee camps would be the only way in which to make sure that these people are adequately housed and fed until they are able to return to Zimbabwe.
We will be asking Minister Mapisa-Nqakula whether she has considered this option, and if so what plans have been drawn up with regard to refugee camps. In the event that the Minister has not considered the refugee camp option, we will be asking what contingency plans have been drawn up to cope with the mass immigration expected from Zimbabwe in the near future.
The DA again reiterates its call for a separate entity to be set up by the Department of Home Affairs to deal with the immigration and refugee crisis from Zimbabwe, as Home Affairs has consistently shown itself to be incapable of dealing with even its day-to-day responsibilities. This entity should be staffed by only the best performing and most driven people, so that some form of humanitarian aid is offered to the people of Zimbabwe, instead of the steadfast denial of the problem, which has been government’s stance so far.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Les Labuschagne MP – 083 388 4762
Marike Groenewald – 082 952 0522