60 Ethiopian, Somali refugees detained in Zimbabwe

HARARE, ZIMBABWE — A group of more than 60 Somali and Ethiopian asylum seekers is being vetted by Zimbabwean police after entering into the country Monday from Mozambique, Radio Zimbabwe reported here Tuesday.

The radio said the asylum seekers entered Zimbabwe illegally through Nyamapanda border post, a gateway to Mozambique and Malawi, which is located 200 km northeast of the Zimbabwean capital Harare.

A police spokesperson told the radio that the asylum seekers were taken to Harare Remand Prison from where they are being vetted.

The Nyamapanda border post has been a favourite for many foreign nationals illegally entering Zimbabwe en route to South Africa.

Over the years refugees from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi have crossed into South Africa through Zimbabwe.

Several others have settled in Zimbabwe after getting asylum status.

Source: APA