South Africa denies entrance to Mozambicans holding emergency certificates

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

South Africa denies entrance to Mozambicans holding emergency certificates

10:54 CAT | 13 May 2016

South African immigration officials have denied entrance to over two hundred Mozambicans travelling with emergency certificates.

According to Rosa Lucio, the head of public relations at the Mozambican National Immigration Service (SENAMI), “the South African authorities have been refusing entrance to Mozambican citizens with emergency certificates since the beginning of this month”.

Lucio lamented that the South African authorities have not contacted their Mozambican counterparts to discuss the issue. She pointed out that “these measures are causing serious inconvenience to travellers who are taken by surprise at the border”.

She highlighted that the issue is covered by bilateral accords between the two countries, and added “at the moment we are redoubling our efforts to normalise the situation through the appropriate channels”.

Lucio stated that the South African immigration service believes that those refused entry are not travelling under emergency provisions but are visiting the country to do shopping. However, she said that this does not make sense as they possess certified documents from SENAMI.

SENAMI has suspended issuing emergency certificates and will only resume once the current problem is resolved.

Source: AIM