adminFarirai Machivenyika Harare Bureau
THE Department of Immigration has fired at least 120 corrupt workers in the past five years, the principal director Clemence Masango said on Tuesday.
“We are quite hard on discipline,” Masango told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Chipinge South legislator Cde Enock Porusingazi (Zanu-PF).
“As soon as an infraction is discovered, disciplinary action must be taken and taken swiftly and fast and that has served as deterrence on any temptation to engage in misconduct because it comes with consequences, even dismissal.
“Over a period of five years, we have effected discharges because of misconduct; as of now over 120 officers. Those that could not conform we have said enough is enough, you should go.”
Masango said they had installed closed circuit television cameras at their premises and all employees wore uniforms and name tags during working hours to curb corruption.
He told the committee that South African music group Freshlyground was not deported as had been reported, but was denied entry because they did not have work permits to perform at the Harare International Festival of the Arts.
“Freshlyground were being sponsored by Hifa organisers and they specifically asked for a work permit as purpose for their coming to perform at the just-ended Hifa, and that was the scope within which the application was processed,” he said.
“The application for a work permit was refused on reasons and it is practice that we don’t give out reasons. That set up is not unique to us, other jurisdictions do that. You will simply be told, ‘visa not successful’ or ‘work permit has not been granted’, but of course there will be reasons. So that’s what happened, they were told they would not get a work permit for the purpose of their visit.”
Masango said they still had issues to resolve with Hifa organisers over the matter, saying they were disappointed Hifa still let the group come to Harare even as they knew entry would be denied.
Bongani Ndlovu