Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe has condemned the South African government over the ongoing clampdown on illegal Zimbabwean immigrants, saying the move is un-African.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, EFF Zimbabwe President Innocent Ndibali queried why South Africa was targeting Zimbabweans only leaving out undocumented foreigners from Europe and Asia. Said Ndibali:
EFF is for borderless Africa and it’s foolish for the South African government to target Zimbabweans who are Africans while leaving the Chinese and many other Europeans who are illegally living in the country.
SA must be doing more to assist the Zimbabwe government and also understand that Zimbabwe is targeted by the West through sanctions because of having taken back its land.
Ndibali also chided South African authorities for alleging that Zimbabwean soldiers and police officers manning the Beitbridge border post were taking bribes to allow Zimbabweans to cross into the neighbouring country illegally. He said:
Also, the South African government must not disrespect Zimbabwe police and army on bribery allegations yet they have the most corrupt police in the world.
Last year, we had a case of South Africa police officers who were arrested while assisting people smuggling goods into Zimbabwe.
Last week, South African authorities deported hundreds of Zimbabweans who had illegally crossed the border.
The blitz followed the recent decision by the South African government to discontinue the special permits (Zimbabwe Exemption Permit) for Zimbabweans who have been living and working in that country.
Mashoko makukutu ayo anoda kuombererwa maoko .You are right there my brother we are all Africans we are 1 people travel ban kana ichinzi southern Africa inobata tese haibati Asia or Europe .Pakuzoomeserana tega tega apa pari tricky .But I smell a rat here why is the current president Ramaphosa silent about this apa ndipo paifanirwa kushanda mapresidential powers kuti izvi zvaakuitwa handizvo haana here too 4 yake yaanogara nayo mameetings ari crucial like at this point wopa decision to protect other Africans .Maonero angu this current president is the most cruel to lead ANC ever .Maforeignors anongo temwa iye zii no comment he is unafrican inyoka inorumira muvhu
We chased out white people to regain our land in Zim some of those white people took refuge in neighboring South Africa. We now cross the Limpopo to follow those white men for jobs. They shun us and we cry foul. When it comes to politics we are a sovereign state that does not tolerate any involvement from S.A even to initiate dialogue in trying times. When it comes to the economy that is when we become Africans calling for ubuntu. Zim should provide its own solutions to its problems and make home a better option than going abroad. Why do we want to force a relationship when we clearly see there is no love no more. The sad thing Zimbos are willing to stay in S.A no matter what abuse is thrown at them they do not want to come back home. We can’t continue to blame S.A for putting in place measures they deem to benefit their own people even at the expense of other “Africans” , its their right they also are a “sovereign state”. Come back home and vote.