Entertainment / Arts
Zimbabwe relaxes rules for foreign artistes
15 Aug 2014 at 04:27hrs | Views
IN support of the arts and culture sector, the Department of Immigration has agreed to waive the requirement for all international artistes to get police clearances from their countries when applying for Temporary Employment Permits (TEPs) to perform in Zimbabwe.
In May this year, the Department of Immigration advised promoters to get foreign artistes police clearances from their respective countries in order for them to be awarded TEPs in Zimbabwe.
Previously, the Immigration Department used to get the police clearances on behalf of promoters but they communicated that they could no longer do so as they were inundated with applications.
The new requirement was met with mixed feelings from promoters who expressed their concerns, saying convincing international artistes to seek police clearances before coming into the country would likely cause delays and possible cancellations of shows.
Yesterday, NACZ communications and marketing officer Catherine Mthombeni said they, together with the immigration department, had been in dialogue with promoters discussing the new requirement.
As a result of the discussions, the immigration department had reverted to the previous arrangement where they, through International Police (Interpol), used to do the general security checks before issuing TEPs to international artistes.
"NACZ is happy to announce that as a result of these discussions, the Department of Immigration has agreed to revert to the previous arrangement where immigration would do the general security checks before issuing TEPs to international artistes.
"Immigration in support of the arts and culture sector, agreed to waive the requirement for police clearance to all international artistes when applying for a Temporary Employment Permit," Mthombeni was quoted saying.
The decision by the immigration department comes barely a month after 44 international participants of Umoja Flying Carpet were deported due to failure to produce police clearances from their countries.
The 44 comprised of 16 South Africans, 13 Norwegians and 15 Mozambicans who were expected to be in camp at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
Mthombeni said the Department of Immigration still had the mandate as required by the law to determine procedures and conditions of issuing of the right documents.
"The Department of Immigration reserves the right, in terms of law, to determine clearance procedures and conditions applicable in cases where the antecedents; national and prohibition status of applicant or applicants is apparently questionable.
"NACZ continues to work with various arms of government to help facilitate regulations in the creative industry, mindful that this will always be done in the interest of the country, promoters, artistes as well as the arts consuming public," she said.
In May this year, the Department of Immigration advised promoters to get foreign artistes police clearances from their respective countries in order for them to be awarded TEPs in Zimbabwe.
Previously, the Immigration Department used to get the police clearances on behalf of promoters but they communicated that they could no longer do so as they were inundated with applications.
The new requirement was met with mixed feelings from promoters who expressed their concerns, saying convincing international artistes to seek police clearances before coming into the country would likely cause delays and possible cancellations of shows.
Yesterday, NACZ communications and marketing officer Catherine Mthombeni said they, together with the immigration department, had been in dialogue with promoters discussing the new requirement.
As a result of the discussions, the immigration department had reverted to the previous arrangement where they, through International Police (Interpol), used to do the general security checks before issuing TEPs to international artistes.
"Immigration in support of the arts and culture sector, agreed to waive the requirement for police clearance to all international artistes when applying for a Temporary Employment Permit," Mthombeni was quoted saying.
The decision by the immigration department comes barely a month after 44 international participants of Umoja Flying Carpet were deported due to failure to produce police clearances from their countries.
The 44 comprised of 16 South Africans, 13 Norwegians and 15 Mozambicans who were expected to be in camp at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
Mthombeni said the Department of Immigration still had the mandate as required by the law to determine procedures and conditions of issuing of the right documents.
"The Department of Immigration reserves the right, in terms of law, to determine clearance procedures and conditions applicable in cases where the antecedents; national and prohibition status of applicant or applicants is apparently questionable.
"NACZ continues to work with various arms of government to help facilitate regulations in the creative industry, mindful that this will always be done in the interest of the country, promoters, artistes as well as the arts consuming public," she said.
Source - chronicle
