180 000 Zimbabweans Face Deportation SA Halts Visa Renewals
Zimeye - 2 November 2021
By A
Correspondent-The South African Cabinet will soon announce a decision on the
renewal of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) for nearly 180 000 Zimbabweans
based in the neighbouring country.
Zimbabweans have benefitted from special permits since 2010 when the
Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP) was introduced.
DZP was aimed at regularising Zimbabweans residing in the neighbouring country
to reduce pressure on the asylum management system.
The permits expired in 2014 before South Africa introduced the Zimbabwe Special
Permit (ZSP) which lapsed at the end of 2017.
It was
followed by the ZEP, which will expire on December 31.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi said Government has
been engaged in high-level meetings with South Africa over the permit issue.
“The matter of the ZEP is part of the agenda of the discussions held between
Zimbabwe and South Africa in the context of the Bi-National Commission (BNC).
Concerning the extension of the permits, the Embassy has had discussions with
the relevant authorities in South Africa since the first quarter of the year,”
said Ambassador Hamadziripi.
“In May
2021, there was further discussion of the issue when the two countries’
Ministers of Foreign Affairs met in Cape Town. In all these interactions, the
government of South Africa informed us that the decision on the renewal of the
permits would be taken by their Cabinet and that processes towards that end
were in motion.”
Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairperson Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena said most
Zimbabweans were anxious as the year is coming to an end.
“We are
waiting for the South African government to make an announcement. We were
informed that a decision will be made in November so we are waiting. We do not
know what is going to happen, but, of course, people are worried about what is
likely to be announced by the Minister of Home Affairs when he decides to make
an announcement,” said Mr Mabhena.
He said financial institutions and some employers have started demanding that
permit holders renew their permits.
“We have been engaging with both the Zimbabwean and South African governments
and made submissions that holders of the ZEP should be granted permanent
residence status because they have been resident here for more than 10 years
and continue to contribute to the South African economy,” said Mr Mabhena.
“The second option is that if they are not granted permanent residence, they
should be granted a long-term visa which is about 10 years or a normal renewal
be an option.
