adminInnocent Ruwende Harare Bureau
THE Department of Immigration has challenged organisers of the just-ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) to inform their audiences that they brought in South African group Freshlyground when they knew two days before that the group did not have a work permit.Immigration principal director Clemence Masango yesterday said Hifa organisers appeared to have entertained “a false and misplaced hope” of a chance for an 11th hour intervention and possible arm twisting of the department.
Freshlyground, who were billed to perform at the closing ceremony of Hifa on May 4, failed to secure visas and temporary employment permits to allow them to work in the country. The Doo be do hit-makers claimed on their Facebook page that Hifa organisers and themselves had followed all requisite permit requirements and “indication prior to this was that the band would be allowed to perform in the country.”
But Masango said they had no option, but to turn back the band at the Harare International Airport.
“Firstly, Freshlyground were never deported. They never at any time on the day in question enter Zimbabwe.
“The correct and official position is that Freshlyground were denied entry for the reason now common knowledge – that they did not have the requisite permit from the Department of Immigration.
“This decision by the Department of Immigration was communicated in writing to Hifa organisers well before May 2, 2014.
“If there was anyone to get surprised by the turn of events, it could only be the Department of Immigration who on May 4, 2014 found themselves confronted by a group that did not have the necessary documentation for entry at the Harare International Airport arrivals section.”
Masango said his department reserved the right of admission into Zimbabwe for any foreigner and regulated the stay and conduct of foreigners admitted into the country.
“That was in effect an act of both recklessness and disrespect on the part of Hifa organisers or whoever was advising them.
“Acting contrary to an official decision is not an act of faith, but defiance. That is precisely how Hifa organisers conducted themselves. In the circumstances, Hifa ought to accept responsibility for their misjudgement or lack of proper counsel in their attempt to bring in Freshlyground when they knew or should have known that they did not possess the requisite authority from the Department,” said Masango.
Online Reporter