HARARE – Opposition legislator Zivai Mhetu has called on the government to scrap passport requirements for travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to boost trade, tourism and labour mobility.
Raising the issue in Parliament, the Epworth North MP urged Zimbabwe to emulate the European Schengen system, which allows free movement between member states using only ID cards.
“Schengen countries in Europe have boosted trade and mobility through the introduction of the Schengen visa, enabling citizens to travel freely within member states using just ID cards. Closer to home, Namibia and Zambia have recently implemented a similar system, removing the need for passports when travelling between their countries,” Mhetu said.
He added: “Following these developments, my prayer is that Zimbabwe does the same to enhance trade, tourism, and labour mobility, while advancing intra-African commerce in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area and SADC’s vision of free movement. I urge government to pursue similar agreements with neighbours such as Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, and South Africa, to allow our citizens to travel, work, and trade more freely, thereby strengthening both economic opportunities and regional unity.”
Responding, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka confirmed talks were underway with Botswana and would be extended to other countries.
“I know that there are current discussions with Botswana, for example, to ensure that movement is enhanced. You will recall that we already have a UniVisa for the KAZA area. So, such negotiations with other countries will continue,” Masuka said.
He added: “I hope that, eventually, the citizens of African countries will be able to travel freely to the 54 African nations. We have made a start to gather momentum in order to accelerate this regional integration that is already in motion and led by our President.”
Masuka, however, did not provide a timeline, saying the negotiations “involve others (countries),” and therefore deadlines could not be imposed.
