Media reports say UKBA has stepped up removals to Zimbabwe despite fears of a possible rise in violence ahead of next year's elections
UK immigration authorities have stepped up the deporting of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers, VOA News reported yesterday.
At least three immigration lawyers had earlier told New Zimbabwe.com that they were seeing a dramatic rise in the removal of failed asylum seekers.
Immigration lawyer Brighton Mutebuka told VOA News that the actual figures are not yet known because "the Home Office does this in a very secretive manner because they don't want to cause alarm."
Mutebuka posted a legal update on the deportations of Zimbabweans on the New Zimbabwe website.
The Zimbabwe Vigil Coalition said in a December 2nd statement that there are allegations that some Zimbabwean deportees from the UK are being drugged or threatened with sedation to ensure they do not kick up a fuss when put on a plane home.
Human rights groups criticised the deportations, warning of a possible rise in violence ahead of next year's elections.
VOA News says it was unable to reach UKBA for comment.