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HARARE - The number of Zimbabweans seeking refuge in Canada has increased, prompting the Canadian government to make visas mandatory for visitors from the southern African country, an embassy statement said Thursday.

"The requirement for a visa is in response to the fast increasing number of refugee claimants from Zimbabwe," said a statement from the Canadian embassy, published in the local press.

Previously there were no visa requirements for Zimbabweans visiting Canada, due to a shared Commonwealth status.

Zimbabwe is suffering its worst economic crisis since independence from white minority rule in 1980. Around three-quarters of the country's 12 million people live below the poverty line.

Human rights groups here have pointed to widespread political violence and intimidation in the country ahead of a crucial presidential election early next year.

"Over the past year Zimbabwe has become the fourth largest source of in-Canada refugee claimants," read Thursday's statement.

State-run ZIANA news agency Thursday quoted the Canadian embassy's first secretary, Steve Hawley as saying 2,295 illegal aliens from Zimbabwe are currently living as refugees in Canada. - Nampa-AFP

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