Staff Reporter
South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a statement distancing his government from claims made by South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Senior Foreign Editor, Sophie Mokoena that he has defended the unethical conduct of Limpopo doctor, Phophi Ramatuba.
Mokoena had earlier posted on her Twitter handle indicating that President Ramaphosa had defended the Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Limpopo doctor, Phophi Ramathuba who has inhumanely treated a Zimbabwean patient who had sought medical services in that Province.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Ramathuba was seen chastising a Zimbabwean patient in hospital while accusing the Zimbabwean government for failing to provide medical service to its citizens.
Responding to Mokoena’s utterances, President Ramaphosa rebuked acts of lawlessness, intimidation or humiliation directed to foreigners, documented or undocumented.
“As we deal with the challenge of illegal migration, we must remember that we are a democracy founded on the rule of law. Acts of lawlessness, intimidation or humiliation directed at foreign nationals, documented or undocumented, cannot be tolerated,” said President Ramaphosa.
According to the United Nations Migration reports dating back to 2000, immigration crisis faced by SADC countries was not unique to the region as migration was a global phenomenon. According to the report, the majority of people continue to live in their countries of origin but approximately one in every 30 is a migrant.
As a means to curb illegal immigration, Zimbabwe immigration department and other border agencies have since strengthened their vetting of travellers to reduce such incidences. According to data collected from Zimbabwe Immigration Department, about 80 people are intercepted daily whilst trying to cross into Zimbabwe. These records show that Zimbabwe too was a victim of illegal immigration crisis.
A source at ZRP Gwanda also revealed that some of the illegal immigrants purported to be Zimbabweans were not Zimbabweans. The source added that in March 2020, a group of Ethiopians were arrested in Gwanda, Matebeleland South. These illegal immigrants were on transit to South Africa and were arrested after a tip-off to police by residents.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and South Africa enjoy a friendly relationship as the two countries have also held joint border patrols to curb illegal immigration and smuggling of goods either into or out of Zimbabwe or South Africa.
