By Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN – The Helen Suzman Foundation said that it was concerned about the allegations of corruption at the Zimbabwe consulate office in Cape Town.
Angry Zimbabwean citizens stormed the consulate office last Wednesday, accusing them of taking bribes in order to issue their identity documents.
The Helen Suzman Foundation said that it was unfortunate that poor Zimbabweans had to be subjected to such activities, 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 the citizens of Zimbabwe living in South Africa had contributed immensely over the past 10 years to the country’s economy.
“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.”
Violence broke out between the Zimbabwean nationals and their officials deployed at their consulate in Cape Town. The people are complaining that the officials are prioritising those who pay bribes to get their Zimbabwean Identity documents and birth certificates processed. pic.twitter.com/gYtp2OQEic
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2023
Meanwhile, the consulate office remains closed in the wake of Wednesday’s violence, where officials had to be rescued by police.
South Africa is home to over three million Zimbabweans, most of whom are not properly documented.
