The move comes as the UK government prepares to deport hundreds of Zimbabweans in anticipation of winning a crucial test case next month that would allow it to resume deportations.

The government is also sending letters to hundreds of Zimbabwean asylum-seekers telling them they should consider returning home - despite the near collapse of the country's economic and political stability and increasing state-sponsored violence.

The 19-year-old, known only as 'Tanya', found out last month that her claim for asylum has been rejected. She says she 'would rather die' than return to her home country, which has been plagued by violence as the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, battles to exert his authority and see off rival political factions.

Last year Tanya was at the centre of an investigation by the Observer newspaper that resulted in the Home Office minister, Tony McNulty, being moved from his post. The exposé revealed allegations that officials in the Immigration Service were offering to help asylum seekers with their applications to remain in the UK in return for sex. One official was sacked from his job and is now the subject of a criminal investigation. Other examples of serious malpractice came to light following the scandal.

The move to deport Tanya was condemned by MPs on Sunday. Her supporters fear for her safety because she claims to have been raped by a senior ally of the Mugabe regime. In addition she was married to a member of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change.

"I'm ashamed by the callous attitude of the Home Office," said Kate Hoey, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Zimbabwe. "What message does this send to vulnerable women around the world, let alone in Zimbabwe, about attitudes to victims of sexual abuse in the UK?"

Hoey accused the government of operating a blanket policy by seeking to return all Zimbabwean asylum seekers. "The Home Office should be trying to do what is morally right, not just ticking boxes to meet bean counters' targets so ministers can reel off statistics," Hoey said. "Can they tell me how many teenage girls' lives have been wrecked by their failure to act?"

Conservative MP Richard Benyon said he was concerned there had been an attempt to sweep the scandal under the carpet. He added that the government were guilty of double standards by allowing the families of senior Mugabe Zanu-PF officials to visit Britain. "It's a grotesque situation," Benyon said. "The person who decided to send Tanya back does not understand the political situation in Zimbabwe."

Last night Tanya told The Observer of her fears for the future. "Going back to Zimbabwe is not an option,' she said. 'Even death is better. My husband was shot in Zimbabwe. The situation is getting worse and I'm really scared."

The Home Office is also seeking to deport the son of MDC activist Lucia Matibenga, who was beaten by Zanu-PF supporters last autumn. "The Home Office dispute who my mother is,' said Joel Matibenga, 25. 'It's not safe for me or my family to go back."

In recent weeks, the government has taken a series of adverts in the Zimbabwean expatriate press in Britain urging asylum seekers to return to their home country. The Zimbabwean Association, one of the organisations that represents asylum seekers in the UK, fears the move will increase the number of Zimbabweans going into hiding in a bid to escape deportation.

The government is prevented from returning Zimbabweans after the Court of Appeal blocked the move. However, it is using a test case to appeal against that ruling and intends to start returns if it wins. A ruling is expected within the next couple of months.

Tanya is to lodge an appeal against her deportation ruling later this month. But the Home Office remains unconvinced of the merits of her case. The department says it sends failed asylum seekers back to their native countries only if their lives are not at risk and judges each case on its merits. - The Observer
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