12 January 2022
Shamila Ntokozo Mdlongwa
It never rains but pours for Zimbabwean immigrants in neighbouring countries.
As if the situation in South Africa was not receiving enough attention, Zambia has followed suit in flashing out and deporting illegal immigrants in that country.
Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala has threatened to deport over 3 000 foreigns trading illegally in Lusaka’s Central Business District without proper documentation.
She blatantly said that of the 3 000 illegal traders many are Zimbabwean nationals.
This comes at a time when thousands of Zimbabwean nationals are facing deportation in neighboring country, South Africa.
The South African situation emanates from the refusal by the South African government to renew Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs). The ZEP allowed a Zimbabwean to stay and work in that country.
After Pretoria has announced that ZEPs would not be renewed concerted efforts are being carried out to deport as many undocumented individuals through several road blocks as well as shop to shop visit demanding proper documentation.
The Zambian Capital Mayor, while speaking on a local radio station in Lusaka said that most of the nationals are living illegally in Zambia and at most use fake Zambian names concealing their real identities.
Other foreigners under threat are those from Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mayor Chitangala was quoted saying that the vendors sell various goods such as second-hand clothes, biscuits, alcohol, plaiting hair among others and added that illegal markets had sprouted in Lusaka due to unlicensed traders.
Meanwhile in an interview with a Zimbabwean local newspaper she said that it is her duty as the custodian of the City of Lusaka to restore order in that country’s capital and also added that the unfortunate part was that they were receiving resistance.
Like the situation in South Africa, this statement said by the Mayor has the potential of causing xenophobic attacks amongst these foreign nationals.
Since 2008 Zimbabweans have been flocking into neighboring countries fleeing political instability and economic deficits in the country.
These Zimbabwean immigrants are said to constitute half of the law offenders in neighboring countries.