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Zim refugee camps 'bad idea'
17/07/2007 21:41 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Home Affairs department has rejected the Democratic Alliance's call for the government to set up refugee camps for Zimbabweans fleeing their country because of economic hardships.
Cleo Mosana, the spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, accused the official opposition party of exploiting the Zimbabwean situation for publicity.
"If they genuinely want to assist the department to deal with the problem, why do they have to do it via the media?" said Mosana.
"The DA's call is nothing but cheap political scoring."
In his letter written to Mapisa-Nqakula, which was also sent out to the media, DA deputy spokesperson on Home Affairs, Les Labuschagne, urged Mapisa-Nqakula to consider setting up refugee camps for Zimbabweans fleeing their country.
"Refugee camps would be the only way in which to make sure that these people are adequately housed and fed until they are able to return to Zimbabwe," he said.
However, Mosana said it flew against provisions of the Refugees Act.
"Refugees are supposed to be integrated into our communities and not kept in camps as the DA proposes.
"Why does the DA want us to have a separate policy that discriminates against Zimbabweans?" she said.
Zimbabweans already reeling under the hardship wrought by hyperinflation of at least 4 500% are facing severe food shortages after the state forced traders to halve their prices, prompting some to close their doors.
The latest developments have seen the number of Zimbabwean entering South Africa illegally increase to record levels.
- SAPA
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