STATE Security minister Kembo Mohadi has expressed concern over the increased number of people using unothordox means to cross borders in Southern Africa.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
Mohadi told the just ended 3rd Ministerial Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (Midsa) in Victoria Falls that irregular travel in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region was caused by poverty.
“Mixed and irregular migratory movements in Africa as a whole have become increasingly complex as they now include refugees, asylum-seekers, and economic migrant children,” he said.
“It is noted that the individuals taking these journeys are exposed to severe violation of their human rights and for all intents and purposes they are in need of protection from all of us.
“Thousands of children are pushed by poverty, death of parents and lack of access to income and essential services.
“This process is, however, filled with many terrifying and even humiliating experiences which include sexual harassment, rape and incarceration in locations where there are hardened criminals,” said Mohadi.
He urged Sadc countries to screen migrants as some would be fugitives.
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Speaking during deliberations, delegates said the rate of criminal activity by “refugees” was worrying.
The matter was raised by a Namibian delegate, who said some of refugees were engaging in criminal activities.
Mohadi, who is also the chairperson for Sadc ministers responsible for migration, said a solution would be to screen every migrant to establish their backgrounds upon the entry.
“Let me concur with my comrades from Botswana and DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), when refugees come to your country, screen them in collaboration with Interpol. That way you will get to know if one is on the Interpol wanted list,” he said.
“I am not saying everything will be watertight because some people carry fake identity documents, which is why you should trace everyone to their countries of origin.”
The conference was attended by ministers and representatives of ministers from Angola, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Namibia, Tanzania, Swaziland and Zambia.
