These claims were made by a DA delegation after its visit to Beit Bridge on Monday to investigate the situation regarding Zimbabweans crossing into South Africa.
DA spokesperson on home affairs Mike Lowe said the statistics were provided by officials working at the border post and also from interviews with business people and farmers.
The department of home affairs should admit there is a humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, he said. The SAPS could not cope.
“But the ANC government will not do that because it would be an acknowledgement that the government’s quiet diplomacy policy on Zimbabwe has failed. That’s why the Minister of Home Affairs (Nosiviwe Mapisa’Nqakula) is denying that there is a problem in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Patrick Chauke, home affairs portfolio committee chairperson and ANC MP, said a comprehensive report on their findings would be ready next week.
It is understood the report highlights the “vacuum” left by the pulling out of SANDF members from some of the unfenced border areas, thus making it easier for illegal immigrants to enter the country. ‘ Nokhuthula Kumalo
26.7.2007
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Humanitarian crisis in Zim – DA
BEIT BRIDGE
Between 5 000 and 6 000 Zimbabweans legally cross the Beit Bridge border post into South Africa every day and only a few of them return home.
This is besides the suspected 1 000 a day who enter the country illegally to look for work on farms along the Zimbabwe'South African border.
Between 5 000 and 6 000 Zimbabweans legally cross the Beit Bridge border post into South Africa every day and only a few of them return home.
This is besides the suspected 1 000 a day who enter the country illegally to look for work on farms along the Zimbabwe'South African border.