adminBusiness Reporter
A GROUP of former immigration officers has formed an association of immigration consultants in what the founders believe will spur investment and tourism in Zimbabwe.The Association of Immigration Consultants of Zimbabwe has since been registered under a deed of trust with a view to co-ordinating and regulating immigration consultants.
AICZ is run by founders Mr John Kambunda as the chairman, deputised by Mr Patrick Tsikai while Mr Dominic Ndlovu and Mr Shepherd Takaendesa complete the board.
Mr Kambunda said the formation of the association was necessitated by the need to co-ordinate the activities of immigration consultants and a platform to interact with authorities to ensure professional, competent and ethical service.
“Our association shall play a complementary role to the authorities and in the process provide a uniform presentation of applications.
“Through the association’s disciplinary code of conduct, errant immigration consultants can be disciplined or be struck off the list of registered consultants,” he said.
“The association will position itself as a point of reference to potential investors, tourists, asylum seekers, displaced and vulnerable groups as it plays a complementary role to the relevant authorities,” Mr Kambunda added.
The association has put in place a well- structured and regulated system and if well complemented by authorities the association will go a long way in ensuring public trust through discipline and accountability to immigration issues.
Mr Kambunda said the Ministry of Home Affairs had showed support for the association and its wish to see it take off the ground.
AICZ has also written to the immigration department which is yet to pronounce its position. The AICZ board chairman said the timing of the formation of the association was opportune as it coincides with Government’s indigenisation programme.
To that end, he said AICZ will link investors with relevant authorities. Mr Kambunda said the association will link clients with such authorities as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, labour department, registrar general’s office and embassies and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority among others.
While AICZ will play largely the complementary role by facilitating submission of applications the relevant authorities decide on approval or otherwise.
Immigration consultancy and associations are now a global phenomena and Mr Kambunda expressed hope the idea will spread across the entire region.
Mr Kambunda said over the years the retired immigration officers who formed AICZ had been assisting clients individually or through lawyers, but their activities lacked uniformity, consistency, official recognition and public trust.
Online Reporter