In a mere five months, South Africa immigration offices have deported approximately 15,000 Zimbabweans through an unjust political system.
A local Cape Town organization, People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty, has reported that those seeking asylum from Zimbabwe are facing severe corruption.
Desperately seeking safety, Zimbabweans have been forced to buy "border passes" from immigration officers.
Border passes are meant to be given to those entering the country--however, one must now obtain a border pass to have any hope of submitting an application for permission of asylum.
The requirement of a border pass is not only illegal, but highly unethical.
Zimbabweans are desperate to enter the country, but are faced with an economic and political obstacle that may cost them their lives.
The South African government should immediately stop the requirement of border passes and reform their immigration policies.
Tell President Jacob Zuma: Stop Corrupt Immigration Policies!
We the undersigned are deeply concerned with reports stating that Zimbabweans seeking asylum in South Africa are being forced to purchase "border passes" in order to apply for asylum.
This is an unlawful practice and should be immediately stopped.
Zimbabweans are desperately seeking asylum and are rapidly being deported. But it is obvious that the corrupt immigration policies are making it extremely difficult to enter the country legally.
We ask you to immediately begin reform of your immigration policies and stop the requirement of border passes.
Thank you for taking our comments and concerns into serious consideration.
