Zimbabweans storm consulate office in Cape Town

Zim Now Writer

Angry Zimbabweans stormed the Zimbabwe consulate office in Cape Town last Wednesday, accusing officials of taking bribes in order to issue their identity documents.

The offices have remained closed in the wake of the violence, which led to police having to rescue officials.

The reports of corruption have led to the Helen Suzman Foundation expressing its concern, saying it was unfortunate that poor Zimbabweans had to be subjected to such treatment, with the South African government not intervening to help the people to get their documentation in place.

The foundation’s executive director, Nicole Fritz, said that Zimbabweans living in South Africa had contributed immensely to the country’s economy over the past 10 years.

“But these Zimbabwean nationals also can’t depend on the Zimbabwean government to act in their interest and we have seen that from the get go, that’s why many have sought to live in South Africa and sought to escape Zimbabwe,” said Fritz.

There are over three million Zimbabweans in South Africa and the bulk of them are not properly documented.