Zimbabwe envoy says SA documentation deadline not extended

THE Zimbabwean Consular General in South Africa has dismissed media claims that the country has extended the deadline for Zimbabweans to submit applications for permits.

Consular General Chris Mapanga said the South African Immigration Department only announded that it was extending the dates for processing of documents, but would not be receiving new ones.

He said the South African Immigration Department had informed his that the 31st of December deadline was December 31, 2010 which had expired.

"The end of March deadline that was set is for the processing of received applications only, so after the 31st of March, anyone who will be outside the system of the Immigration Department will be staying in South Africa illegally and will therefore be subject to deportation," CG Mapanga said.

The South African Immigration Department is no longer admitting applications from Zimbabweans.

Prior to the December deadline, those who did not have documents were given a note from the Embassy or Consular General's office confirming that they were Zimbabweans.

The issuing of birth certificates and national identity cards is on going with the Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede confirming that his officers are operating in South Africa.

"The process is ongoing for the convenience of all Zimbabweans in South Africa," Mudede said.

The South African government last year extended an olive branch to all Zimbabweans living in that country to formalise their stay by having proper documentation.

This call led to the Registrar General's office to dispatch a team of officers to South Africa to afford Zimbabweans staying in that country, opportunities to have proper documents.