SA kicks out 160 Zimbabweans

2005-12-28 16:35

Harare - More than 160 Zimbabweans have been deported by air from neighbouring South Africa for breaching that country's immigration regulations, state radio reported on Wednesday.

"Deportations have been by road or by train to Beitbridge (border post), but this time around, because trains are not available for deportation, the South African home affairs (department) decided to deport our people by air," an official identified only as Consul-General Mapanga told the radio.

More than three million Zimbabweans are estimated to be living outside the country, most of them in South Africa. Many leave Zimbabwe to escape biting economic hardships, including inflation of more than 500 percent and high levels of unemployment.

More Zimbabweans are set to be flown home soon from South Africa, according to the report.

The official described the air deportations as a "unique arrangement" aimed at reducing the number of detainees inside Lindela, a holding centre for illegal immigrants located near Johannesburg.

"They (the South African authorities) don't want to keep Lindela full to the brim during this holiday time. They want to make sure people are moved out of that place because we've had cases of deaths at Lindela due to overcrowding," he told the radio.

"The total number of Zimbabwean detainees we have identified at Lindela is about 560, and of that number some of them left yesterday, and others are yet to leave, probably today," he added. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA