HIGH COMMISSION CONCERNED ABOUT ZAMBIANS LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA ON ASYLUM PERMITS
The High Commission of Zambia in South Africa has expressed concern over reports that some Zambians living in South Africa were on asylum seeker permits.
In a press statement to Lusaka Times, by the Press Secretary Nicky Shabolyo , Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba has said that it was inconceivable that there could be any Zambian living outside the country on account of not being safe in Zambia.
Mr. Mwamba pointed out that permits for asylum seekers were granted to people from countries that were at war or were facing various forms of instability that did not make it conducive for human habitation.
“Zambia has never been at war with itself or with another country. Zambia has been a peaceful country from the time we gained independence. Even the times we needed to change leadership, we have done so without significant physical conflict to scare away anyone. In fact it is Zambia that has been receiving refugees all these years because the country has been found to be one of the most peaceful countries in the world,” Mr. Mwamba said.
“It is therefore strange to hear of Zambians living in South Africa on permits that are meant for asylum seekers. I wonder what reasons they give to authorities when they go to apply for these permits.”
The High Commissioner said Zambians should be proud of their country and be wary of what they did or how they conducted themselves so that they did not portray a negative image of the country.
Mr. Mwamba was commenting in the wake of reports that foreign nationals, including Zambians, living in South Africa on asylum seeker permits were being arrested by authorities when they went to renew their documents.
He said the High Commission planned to start negotiations with South Africa for a special permit status for Zambians owing to historical relations between the two countries.
And African Diaspora Forum (ADF) project coordinator, Nkanyezi Ndlovu confirmed that foreign nationals from various countries were being arrested each time they went to the South African Home Affairs offices to renew their documents.
Mr. Ndlovu said the arrests intensified in the last three weeks when ADF would receive reports of as many as 200 nationals being arrested in a period of three days.
He said renewal of documents went on smoothly before this and that the only problem had been the short extensions that they used to get.
“These arrests seem to have intensified over the last three weeks. We are receiving over 200 reports of arrests in two to three days through our hotline. There are also a lot of other cases that we learn about through other avenues. So there are a lot more of our people that have been arrested while others have already been deported,” Mr. Ndlovu said.
Zambians getting asylum seeker in south Africa doesn’t mean they war or any problem in Zambia,but its one way to have freedom of staying in south Africa. Its not easy to get w.permit our commissioner you have no negotiations to South Africa. That’s why people are taking advantage of other countries just to have peace of movement in south Africa.
So ba Mwamba you do not know that it is not safe to stay in Zambia today?with the muzzling of the press and gagging of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement and general deterioration of fundamental human rights, Zambia now ranks with nations like Sudan, Somalia, DRC, Zimbabwe etc, and this is enough cause to seek asylum in peaceful nations.
Thugs mainly UPND minions are the ones reporting themselves as refugees.
Kiki when nez told you that Zambia under lungu has become a dictatorship whiff has forced many Zambians to become economic refugees I was called names . Now here you have proof. Nez does not lie. I give you the hard and painful truth. Pf is a curse
They must deport Henry Banda Rupiah Banda’s son who is also on the same permit as a refugee, why did Rupiah hide him in South Africa when he lost elections in 2011 if it’s safe to stay in Zambia?
Ask Mutinta Mazoka M’membe and she will tell you how that is possible. And besides, it’s not just the lack of civil war or strife that make life had to bear in a country, the deteriorating economic situation is wrecking havoc, it’s worse than war as many bail out of Zambia like a sinking titanic to save their lives.