SA-based Zimbabweans heave sigh of relief

ZIMBABWEANS living in South Africa have commended the host government for introducing a new three-year permit for those wishing to study or work in that country.

In separate interviews yesterday, Zimbabweans said the new development had brought about an end to months of speculation following reports that the country was introducing tough measures for immigrants.

"I have been staying in South Africa for almost eight years, well for those using these special permits it's a relief because they didn't know what their fate was after their expiry date.

"Secondly the majority of our people were worried about travelling to Zimbabwe for their renewal or extension citing financial components and infrastructure which is not in place for such as most visa applications are centralised in Harare," said Giyani Dube, a representative of Zimbabweans living in South Africa.

The Coordinator of the Zimbabweans Exiles Forum, Diana Zimbudzana, said they were happy that the permits would be processed in South Africa rather than people having to travel back to Zimbabwe for the same purpose.

She said holders of the old permits should prepare to apply for the new permits.

"This is a positive development considering that there has been a lot of discord over the issue especially with the changing of ministers from Naledi Pandor to Malusi Gigaba.

"We are still waiting for further details from the Home Affairs ministry with regards to the application processes and administration fees so that we advise people accordingly," Zimbudzana said.

A spokesman for the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum, Trust Ndlovu, said although the introduction of the new permit was a relief to many Zimbabweans, they were still worried about the strenuous application process. "The South African government has done the best they can though we still have concerns with the application processes where people would have to take a day or two off from work. Further it is worrying that some employers are reluctant to issue employment confirmation letters to Zimbabweans which is also a key requirement for one to get the permit.

"Judging by the minister's (Gigaba) tone the South African government appears unlikely to follow its constitution that enjoins it to confer permanent residence status on immigrants who would have stayed for five or more years in their country.

"You will note that by 31 December 2017 most of the permit holders would have spent seven years in South Africa," said Ndlovu. He also called on Zimbabweans to comply with the new immigration regulations and make sure that they get the requisite documents needed for processing the permits.

South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Gigaba said on Tuesday that Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP) would allow permit-holders to live, work, conduct business and study in South Africa for the duration of the permit, which is valid until December 31, 2017.

Gigaba said the programme was a replacement for the Zimbabwe Dispensation Programme which started in May 2009 and would expire on December 31.

During the DZP, at least 295,000 Zimbabweans applied for the permits and about 245,000 permits were issued, with the balance being denied due to lack of passports or non-fulfillment of other requirements.

Gigaba said applications would open on October 1 and close on December 31 this year. The Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) would manage the process which would be adjudicated by the Department of Home Affairs.

Gigaba said DZP permit-holders who wished to remain in South Africa after the expiry of their permits, could reapply for the ZSP, subject to conditions which include a valid Zimbabwean passport, evidence of employment, business or accredited study and a clean criminal record.