Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN HARARE
Reacting to media reports, the High Commission wishes to reject the inappropriate allegations that it was somehow responsible for the death last week of a Zimbabwean woman who died tragically in Botswana, while attempting to cross the border into South Africa.
The High Commission is obliged to implement visa regulations in terms of the South African Aliens Control Act of 1995 and sincerely regrets the allegation that it was unfairly applied in this case. Visa statistics for 1998 clearly show that the High Commission is making every effort to accommodate Zimbabwean citizens wishing to travel to South Africa.
During the first nine months of this year, the Consular Office of the High Commission in Harare, which is South Africa's busiest worldwide, issued 136 474 visitor's visas to Zimbabwean citizens. Only 1 669 or 1.2% of all applicants were unsuccessful during this period.
The High Commission wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families who perished in this tragic accident.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN HARARE PRETORIA 27 OCTOBER 1998