malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
NINETY-THREE refugees and asylum seekers have been arrested for contravening terms of their residence status by venturing into business in sectors exclusively reserved for locals.
The Immigration Department has also arrested more than 200 foreigners for entering the country illegally this year.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, chief immigration officer Ms Respect Gono said 120 illegal foreigners were also deported.
“The Department of Immigration has been actively checking compliance of foreign nationals to provisions of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02 and attendant Regulations 1998 as amended 2005,” she said.
“The aim of these operations is to ensure adherence to immigration and other national laws, hence the incorporation of critical stakeholders in some of the operations.
“A total of 243 arrests were made and 120 resulted in deportations.
“About 93 refugees and asylum seekers were found to be in contravention of the Zimbabwe’s Encampment Policy and violating conditions of their stay by engaging in various business enterprises without authority of the chief director of immigration.”
Some foreign nationals, she said, were overstaying, violating terms of their residence permits.
“It was also established that several foreign nationals, who are on other residence permits, are abusing conditions of their permits by operating businesses in reserved sectors as they have proliferated in the retail sector,” she added.
“It is important to remind the nation that Zimbabwe is open for business but the Department of Immigration will not allow lawlessness to take place.
“I would like to take this opportunity to warn those flouting immigration laws and those abusing conditions of their immigration permits to desist from such.
“In line with the dictates of the National Migration Policy, the department endeavours to improve migration governance by facilitating movement and business but shall not hesitate to arrest and deport those who breach immigration laws.”
Online Reporter