We’ve improved work processes at all our stations
THE Government recently launched the National Migration Policy, which seeks to establish a comprehensive and evidence-based framework for managing all forms of migration, including internal and international, as well as regular and irregular. The policy is expected to guide the Immigration Department, which has been operating without such a framework since its inception before independence. The Sunday Mail’s TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) spoke to chief immigration officer MS RESPECT GONO (RG) on their plans going forward. *****************
TR: Can you outline the Immigration Department’s major achievements this year?
RG: The major achievements registered by the department in 2023 include the successful launch of the National Migration Policy.
The department has been running without a policy framework since its establishment during the colonial period.
We have been operating based on the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations.
We also, through our parent ministry, managed to identify and sign a contract with a service provider, who will supply and instal the Online Border Management System (OBMS).
The system will have a cocktail of functionalities that are set to drastically transform the provision of migration services across all our workstations.
TR: What major plans have you lined up for 2024 in terms of modernising Zimbabwe’s ports of entry and exit?
RG: The modernisation and upgrading of the country’s ports of entry and exit is being spearheaded by the Government and is an ongoing exercise.
On our part, and working together with the identified service provider, we have plans to roll out the OBMS to all our workstations.
As I alluded to earlier on, the OBMS will have various functionalities that should enhance service delivery.
We envisage a system that will, inter alia, reduce interface between our personnel and the clients; it will reduce the time needed to clear travellers; it will also have the capacity to discern biometric features of travellers and enhance security.
TR: What measures has the Immigration Department put in place to address challenges related to corruption, illegal migration and human trafficking?
RG: The National Migration Policy is our compass as a department.
It provides a broad framework for migration governance in the country.
All the rules, regulations and standard operating procedures that we use in the day-to-day running of the department are derived from or informed by the National Migration Policy.
The department has several initiatives that are aimed at curtailing challenges associated with irregular immigrants and human trafficking.
These include public awareness programmes on the dangers of irregular migration.
We use both mainstream and social media to reach out to the public.
We have also erected banners and signage at various ports of entry/exit that disseminate information on migration-related issues. We also have engagements with borderline communities, impressing on the importance of using formal crossing points.
In addition, we also use other platforms, such as the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, to disseminate information.
We also regularly conduct joint operations with other stakeholders to account for irregular immigrants.
In this regard, we have set up compliance teams in all regions, whose main purpose is to enforce compliance with the country’s laws.
Apart from conducting awareness campaigns discouraging members from engaging in corrupt activities, we have also put in place the following measures: regular staff transfers and rotations to avoid familiarisation; installation of CCTV cameras at all major ports of entry and exit; all staff wear uniforms with name tags for easy identification; and we also institute disciplinary procedures on individuals who are caught breaking the law.
TR: Tell us about the role your department has played in facilitating the attraction of foreign investors into the country.
RG: To help lure investors to the country, the department participates in various forums, where we interact with prospective investors, disseminating information on the procedures to be followed when one wants to obtain an investor’s permit in Zimbabwe.
We have participated in all premier exhibitions in Zimbabwe and at some beyond our borders.
We have also improved our work processes to ensure the speedy issuance of residence permits.
TR: How many visas have you granted to foreign investors this year and how does that compare to the previous year?
RG: The department issued a total of 1 000 residence permits to investors in 2023, compared to 329 in 2022.
TR: How many inbound travellers have come into the country this December compared to the same period last year?
RG: The department received a total of 512 491 inbound travellers between December 1 and 27, compared to 394 772 for the same period in 2022.