9 January 2006
In a major boost aimed at curbing illegal immigration, cheap labour, the
abuse of labour laws and the rampant crime, the Labour Ministers of Zimbabwe
and South Africa â in conjunction with the International Office of Migration -
opened an office in Beit Bridge border area today (Monday).
The office, a first of its kind in Africa, will help in assisting
Zimbabweans seeking employment in South Africa with legal papers and will be
the major recipient of about 2000 Zimbabwean deportees who are repatriated on a
weekly basis from South Africa.
Deportees and other people in need of legal documents will be served food
and other basic amenities while their papers are sorted.
The office includes among others, an HIV/AIDS counselling centre and will be
the centre point for the World Food Programme Support.
Both Ministers have shared the notion that the office will help minimise
illegal immigration and the abuse of Zimbabweans by unscrupulous employers
seeking to make profits through the South African labour laws.
The move would also decrease levels of crime in the border area.
âMy government will do everything to make the good intentions of the office
work,â said Zimbabwean Labour Minister Nicholas Goche.
His South African counterpart, Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said: âThe
initiative will be a good forum to fight xenophobia.â
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Issued by: Department of Labour
9 January 2006
