Zim deports SA factfinders

The group included: the national secretary of the Young Communists League, Buti Manamela; Nduluza Gceba of the South African Youth Council; North West secretary of the South African Students' Congress, Mothusi Tsineng; Congress of South African Students president Kenny Motshegoa; Tsholofelo Nakedi of the South African Non-Governmental Organisations' Coalition; Lucian Segami of the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum; secretary general of the Young Christian Students Bheki Mcetywa; and Thoko Ntone of the Students Union for Christian Action.

"The main thrust of the visit was to familiarise the Progressive Youth Alliance with various interpretations of the current socio-economic and political situations in Zimbabwe, meet with the government, the ruling Zanu-PF, civil society and the opposition to gain a wide understanding of the present political situation in Zimbabwe," read the statement.

The Young Communist League said in a statement that nothing warranted the Zimbabwean government to "take this irrational decision because the delegation was not a threat to the Zimbabwean government and its people.

"It was a visit informed by getting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different interpretations of the socio-economic crisis in the country."

The ZSF added: "This deportation comes against a backdrop in which students and youth of Zimbabwe have been severely affected by the wave of displacements associated with Operation Murambatsvina.

"This visit was an attempt to gain first-hand insights into the impact these events have had on youth and students." -- Sapa