REMOVAL PROCEDURES

The passport of the deportee is put in an envelope addressed to the Chief Immigration Officer (Harare), together with a passenger list. These documents are taken to immigration before the passengers disembark. The CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) at Harare see the passenger list in the Chief I.O.'s office before the passengers come into immigration. For deportees the passport will be with the Chief Immigration Officer (meaning that the CIO will have knowledge of the deportee). This results in the deportees being in a very vulnerable position. The CIO have an office at the airport, they watch arrivals and departures, they have free access to every office at the airport. The Chief Immigration Officer is also directed by the CIO.

We are increasingly worried about whether our deportees even get through the airport , considering the circumstances of their removal. Recent deportees (including Joseph Kanyere) have not reported back despite promising to let friends in the UK know what happened at the airport. If their Zim relatives think they are still detained in the UK no one will even know they are missing. Should we suppose they are still in no man's land? (UK removed them, Zimbabwe can't account for them?)

C. (ex-employee at Harare Airport)