adminRobin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Government has expressed concern over cases of child smuggling during the festive season saying parents and guardians should secure legal travel documents for minors.
The regional immigration officer at Beitbridge Border Post, Mr Notius Tarisai, said they were disappointed by the amount of interest in illegal dealing displayed by parents and guardians.
“People pay omalayitsha R1 500 for a single trip in or out of South Africa, which translates to R3 000 for a full trip. A Zimbabwean passport costs just $53 and lasts for years, it worries us why parents pay so much, there is no logic in this whole trip,” he said.
Mr Tarisai said it made economic sense for parents to secure the correct travel documents and have their children go for holidays in a safe and secure manner than putting their lives in the hands of omalayitsha who at times abandon trips and dump travellers.
He said the ordinary Zimbabwean passport takes not more than four weeks to be processed and there were no long queues as before as the process had improved greatly over the years.
He said during the festive season they witnessed cases of child smuggling and managed to rescue the children in to the hands of authorities.
“We managed to intercept children who had been smuggled and we have put them in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare so that their guardians can be contacted. They were enroute to South Africa for the Christmas holidays,” said Mr Tarisai.
He said members of the public should desist from using go-betweens when trying to cross into South Africa.
“Right now it is foolish to ask these touts to assist one to cross into South Africa illegally especially through the Limpopo River which is flooded and crocodile infested. It is therefore dangerous for one to even attempt crossing via this illegal route,” he said.
Thousands of people have not made it to South Africa over the years after being swept away by the river and eaten by crocodiles as they attempt to cross illegally in to the neighbouring country.
The immigration department blamed members of the public on their belief that one has to find an easy way around things which is usually the illegal way.
“The public is to blame as they have a general belief that for you to get your way around you have to do it illegally. They feel they must be corrupt somehow but that is not the case. The legal way is always the best route as it will not cost you a lot of money and you will never be in the path of immigration officials or law enforcement agents,” advised Mr Tarisai.
During the festive season he said there were a number Zimbabweans who had no documentation but wanted to return home.
He said the culprits were made to pay a US$20 fine for flouting immigration laws.
“If the people can prove that they are Zimbabweans we make them pay and they can come through to Zimbabwe. They have made the commitment to come back home and we should afford them that chance,” he said.
Online Reporter