Chair, hon Minister and hon members, the ACDP is very concerned about the condition of migrant women and children, especially in the border areas of Musina.
Despite promises, government appears not to have put any budget or programme in place to cope with these people. Migrant orphans are sometimes put in children's homes, but many are kept separate from South African school-going children for months while waiting for the Zimbabwean authorities to confirm their status, which can take years. There are also reports that sexual attacks on migrant women are increasing in these areas.
As Zimbabwean passports cost the equivalent of about R2 000 a passport, this is outside the reach of any average person, and thousands of desperate people in Zimbabwe will continue to cross the border at illegal crossing points, and without papers.
This is a pressing problem and we urge government to address it in a compassionate manner. Local residents say that these people are treated in a way that one would not want to treat animals. These are people like us - our neighbours.
The ACDP urges the Minister to focus urgent attention on these matters. The ACDP will however be supporting this Budget Vote. Thank you.