News / Africa
No joy for 10 000 SA permit applicants
28 Dec 2010 at 03:50hrs | Views
More than 10 000 Zimbabweans staying in South Africa have had their application for permits dismissed as Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that no one would be deported after the December 31 deadline.
In a statement, Minister Nkosazana-Zuma said the Zimbabweans who have had their applications dismissed could appeal against the dismissal.
The SA government had by Wednesday this week processed 128 493 applications, of which 43 087 have been adjudicated.
"This leaves 85 406 that need to be adjudicated.
Of those that have been adjudicated, 32 241 have been approved and 10 844 denied," she said.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma added: "Naturally then, processing of these applications will continue well into the New Year. Zimbabwean nationals whose applications for regularisation have been rejected also have the option to appeal this decision.
"Only when all these processes have been completed and finalised in both countries, including the issuance of outstanding passports from the Zimbabwean Government, will we begin to deport those nationals who are now in the country illegally."
She also reiterated that no Zimbabwean would be deported after the December 31 deadline. "The deadline of 31 December 2010 is for the submission of applications by Zimbabwean nationals who are not documented in South Africa. To ensure that all Zimbabweans have the opportunity to apply to be regularised we are allowing applications to be accompanied by receipts for their passport applications still to be processed by the Zimbabwean Government.
"We have also relaxed the application process so that those without passports but only identity documents are able to attach copies of these to their applications.
"And for those who have no hard copies of their documents but only ID numbers, we have asked the stakeholder groups for lists of such nationals so that we can liaise with the Zimbabwean Government to verify nationality of such citizens and request that their applications for documents be expedited."
Minister Dlamini-Zuma also expressed confidence that Zimbabweans living in South Africa would get an opportunity to apply for the permits.
"Although processing of applications is continuing, our most urgent priority is to receive the applications of all those who want to be documented. We have even relaxed the processes to ensure that all those who want to be documented will have an opportunity to do so.
"However, I am convinced that my department is committed to ensuring that all Zimbabwean nationals are documented so they can begin to live productive lives in South Africa, free from fear of persecution.
"To this end, all senior officials have not been granted leave, the two-shift-a-day system and regular working hours at all offices are in place over the holiday period."
In a statement, Minister Nkosazana-Zuma said the Zimbabweans who have had their applications dismissed could appeal against the dismissal.
The SA government had by Wednesday this week processed 128 493 applications, of which 43 087 have been adjudicated.
"This leaves 85 406 that need to be adjudicated.
Of those that have been adjudicated, 32 241 have been approved and 10 844 denied," she said.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma added: "Naturally then, processing of these applications will continue well into the New Year. Zimbabwean nationals whose applications for regularisation have been rejected also have the option to appeal this decision.
"Only when all these processes have been completed and finalised in both countries, including the issuance of outstanding passports from the Zimbabwean Government, will we begin to deport those nationals who are now in the country illegally."
She also reiterated that no Zimbabwean would be deported after the December 31 deadline. "The deadline of 31 December 2010 is for the submission of applications by Zimbabwean nationals who are not documented in South Africa. To ensure that all Zimbabweans have the opportunity to apply to be regularised we are allowing applications to be accompanied by receipts for their passport applications still to be processed by the Zimbabwean Government.
"We have also relaxed the application process so that those without passports but only identity documents are able to attach copies of these to their applications.
"And for those who have no hard copies of their documents but only ID numbers, we have asked the stakeholder groups for lists of such nationals so that we can liaise with the Zimbabwean Government to verify nationality of such citizens and request that their applications for documents be expedited."
Minister Dlamini-Zuma also expressed confidence that Zimbabweans living in South Africa would get an opportunity to apply for the permits.
"Although processing of applications is continuing, our most urgent priority is to receive the applications of all those who want to be documented. We have even relaxed the processes to ensure that all those who want to be documented will have an opportunity to do so.
"However, I am convinced that my department is committed to ensuring that all Zimbabwean nationals are documented so they can begin to live productive lives in South Africa, free from fear of persecution.
"To this end, all senior officials have not been granted leave, the two-shift-a-day system and regular working hours at all offices are in place over the holiday period."
Source - Byo24 South African Correspondent
