South Africa would not set up camps to deal with Zimbabwean refugees crossing the border into the country, the South African Cabinet decided on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said South Africa’s hopes rested on the mediation of President Thabo Mbeki between the Zimbabwean parties.
”Cabinet’s view is that all efforts must be, again, on doing everything that is possible to make sure that the facilitated talks between the various parties in Zimbabwe are expedited with a view of making sure that stability, political and economic, is restored to Zimbabwe,” he said.
In the meantime, directors general of departments in government’s international relations, peace and security cluster has been tasked with coming up with a ”holistic approach” to dealing with ”economic migrants”, which included the Zimbabwean refugees.
”Such approach cannot be based on the creation of refugee camps,” Maseko said.
South Africa’s economic growth meant that Zimbabweans were not the only Africans coming to South Africa looking for a better life, Maseko said.
”There is likely to be an increase of economic migrants coming to South Africa as the result of the fact that our economy is registering such economic growth,” he said.
He, however, admitted that there was an increase ”of the numbers of Zimbabweans” coming into South Africa.
The opposition Democratic Alliance recently asked Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to consider setting up refugee camps close to the border to assist and house Zimbabweans fleeing their country.
The party said it has heard that thousands of Zimbabweans are crossing the border each day, trying to escape the political and economic hardships in that country. — Sapa