SA, Zim to scrap travel visas

2005-10-13 10:39

Johannesburg - Zimbabwean and South African parliamentary committees have agreed visas for travel between the two countries should be scrapped, Zimbabwe's Herald Online reported on Thursday.

It said the portfolio committees on home affairs and defence from the two countries met in Harare on Wednesday.

"There is no security threat that could be posed by the scrapping of visas," said chairperson of the Zimbabwean committee Claudious Makova.

"In fact, it would even be better than the present situation where people are crossing through the bush and other illegal exit and entry points to South Africa."

Visa requirements also posed difficulties for Zimbabwean farm workers crossing to South Africa to work on farms, as they were not covered by South African labour laws.

Makova said his committee had since spoken to officials who agreed in principle to set up an employment agency at Beitbridge border post.

Prospective employers from South Africa would then liaise with the agency when taking on Zimbabwean workers.

This was expected to go a long way in ensuring the accountability of the farm employers, and the safety and welfare of the workers, said Makova.

Chairperson of the South African committee, Hlomane Chauke, concurred on the idea of scrapping visas, The Herald reported.

- SAPA