Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage
By Dickson Bandera
The Government on Zimbabwe has dismissed allegations from South African authorities that a child trafficking syndicate involving 42 buses carrying 443 minors from Zimbabwe was intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post trying to cross into South Africa.
In a statement, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Honourable Kazembe Kazembe said there is no record of the incident recorded at the Beitbridge Border Post and if this had happened, arrested would have been made.
“We have noted with concern media statements attributed to the
Minister of Home Affairs, Republic of South Africa, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, alleging that forty-two (42) buses carrying 443 unaccompanied minors were intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post on the South African side.
“We wish to categorically state that no such incident occurred. If at all there was a case of human trafficking of minors, the buses, the drivers and the crew would now have been arrested facing human trafficking charges as guided by the Trafficking In Persons legislation common to both jurisdictions in line with our regional and international obligations.
“To date, Beitbridge Border Post has no record of any forty-two (42) buses denied entry into South Africa or 443 minors intercepted or handed over to Zimbabwe Authorities.
Minister Kazembe challenged the South African authorities to communicate with Zimbabwe through established channels if they have information to the contrary.
“If there is any information to the contrary, we hope to be advised through the well-established communication channels between the two countries. We are however aware that during the festive period, once schools close, Zimbabwean parents’ residents in South Africa, especially on the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits, which do not allow for the inclusion of any dependents, invite their children to South Africa for the festive season.
“It is a requirement that the minors travel with their guardians accompanied by supporting affidavits obtained from their consenting parents in line with agreed procedures,” said Minister Kazembe.
He added, “Of late the South African authorities are not accepting commissioned affidavits, preferring that the minors and their guardians’ tender affidavits commissioned by local courts. As Zimbabwe, we remain committed to cooperating with our South African counterparts and the region to ensure that movement through our borders remains safe, orderly, and regular”.
