Zimbabwe permits, South Africa to clarify this week

SOUTH Africa Home Affairs minister Naledi Pandor is this week expected to provide clarity on the renewal of special permits given to Zimbabwean immigrants as concern grows over the fate of thousands of economic and political refugees in that country.
The Department of Home Affairs announced early this month that the Special Dispensation for Zimbabweans Project (DZP) will come to an end this year.
Those who want to renew work and residency permits will not be allowed to do so while in South Africa.
There is apprehension among the Zimbabwean community in South Africa, believed to be numbering over two million, that fresh attempts to flush them out of the neighbouring country will be intensified.
Organisations representing Zimbabwean immigrants have indicated that they will engage Pretoria on the way forward.
Concern is high among many Zimbabweans in South Africa after it was announced by the authorities there that special work and study permits, granted to Zim nationals, will expire later this year. 
South Africa's cabinet resolved last week that the permits, granted under the Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Project, will expire in November 2014. The resolution also includes a decision that fresh permits can be obtained, but only if people return to Zimbabwe to apply.
This decision is set to be fully explained by SA Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor this week.