SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
29 September 2008
The security of Zimbabwean refugees of politically motivated violence in South Africa is under threat, following a decision by the department of Home Affairs to withdraw asylum because of the power sharing accord in Zimbabwe.
South Africa has been the landing ground for millions of Zimbabweans who fled their homes to seek safety, in the midst of brutal attacks orchestrated by ZANU PF. The flood of exiles and the turbulent nature of Zimbabwe's political crisis forced the South African government to review its refugee policies - a change that ensured asylum and safety from deportation for thousands of Zimbabweans while the situation in their country remained volatile.
However, despite ongoing reports of violence, starvation and political unrest, Zimbabweans seeking asylum, including those who applied for extensions on their asylum papers, are now being turned down by home affairs, with officials citing the power sharing deal that was signed between the leaders of the MDC and ZANU PF.
The signing of the deal has done nothing to change the situation on the ground, a situation that forced so many to flee. The desperate humanitarian crisis has left millions facing starvation, while the breakdown of the country's sanitation services has prompted fears of an outbreak of serious diseases. At the same time the number of farm invasions has risen and ZANU PF torture camps have remained fully operational, all while the impasse over cabinet posts continues.
Human rights lawyer for the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, Anna Moyo, told Newsreel on Monday the sudden 'hostility' from the South African government was putting 'the lives of Zimbabweans at risk'. She explained that there are serious concerns about the ongoing violence in Zimbabwe, saying the 'human rights situation is still desperate'. Moyo added that there are rumours that many Zimbabweans have already been deported, and expressed her own fears for the safety of new refugees. "Its difficult now for new exiles, because so many are still crossing the border, and their safety is at risk," Moyo said.
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Zimbos have just to boot Mugabe out if he does not respect the 50/50 sharing of key ministries and tackle all his thugs.
There will be no need thereafter for SA to threaten Zim refugees with deportation. The refugees themselves will feel secure enough to return.
Alex Bell's London based Radio/Propagandist writings on Zimbabwe are always suspect! British people in General have ceased to discuss Zimbabwe without being hyperbolic. I guess to be published on Zimbabwe you have to write all sorts of Rubbish.
Most of SW Radio material is gabbage and the latest article is just another one.