News / National
2 million Zimbabweans in SA heading home
28 Mar 2014 at 09:06hrs | Views
More than two million Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa will soon be heading back home as work permits they received under the Special Dispensation for Zimbabwean Project (SDZP) will be expiring in a few months.
In 2009, most Zimbabweans living illegally in South Africa obtained four-year permits under SDZP and most of the permits are expiring in September.
The permits, granted to Zimbabweans were work, study and business class that facilitated their uninterrupted stay in that country and thus suspending deportations.
At a press conference in Pretoria on Wednesday, deputy Home Affairs minister Fatima Chohan said the cabinet meeting held on March 19 resolved that Zimbabweans would be required to go back to their country and apply for renewal of permits in Zimbabwe.
"The Cabinet meeting of March 19 2014 approved the approach on the expiry of permits issued under SDZP," Chohan said on the South African government website.
"In this regard, Cabinet agreed that the permit holders will be expected to re-apply for their permits in their country of origin. Minister Naledi Pandor will host a media briefing soon to expand on the Cabinet decision in this regard."
The Migrant Workers Association of South Africa national coordinator Butholezwe Nyathi yesterday told The Zimbabwe Mail that if the South African government position on the matter was implemented, it would make it difficult for Zimbabweans to go back to South Africa due to the stringent conditions that would be associated with the re-application process.
"It would be hard for Zimbabweans to get back into South Africa as they will be exposed to rigorous conditions of justifying their stay there," Nyathi said.
"We understand the Department of Labour will then be involved in the screening process to certify that the permit-seekers are genuine. Once a person is rejected it will be hard for applicants to go back into South Africa."
Nyathi also said Zimbabweans' stay in South Africa hinge on a decision that would be announced next week by the ministry of Home affairs.
"We are waiting for a final decision that will be handed down by the ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday and we are hoping that a higher office will relax the conditions and then we can sit down and discuss our reaction as civic organisations," he said.
Zimbabwe's more than a decade-long economic crisis resulted in many people seeking employment in neighbouring countries, as well as Europe and the United States, but South Africa remains the destination of choice for many because of proximity.
In 2009, most Zimbabweans living illegally in South Africa obtained four-year permits under SDZP and most of the permits are expiring in September.
The permits, granted to Zimbabweans were work, study and business class that facilitated their uninterrupted stay in that country and thus suspending deportations.
At a press conference in Pretoria on Wednesday, deputy Home Affairs minister Fatima Chohan said the cabinet meeting held on March 19 resolved that Zimbabweans would be required to go back to their country and apply for renewal of permits in Zimbabwe.
"The Cabinet meeting of March 19 2014 approved the approach on the expiry of permits issued under SDZP," Chohan said on the South African government website.
"In this regard, Cabinet agreed that the permit holders will be expected to re-apply for their permits in their country of origin. Minister Naledi Pandor will host a media briefing soon to expand on the Cabinet decision in this regard."
The Migrant Workers Association of South Africa national coordinator Butholezwe Nyathi yesterday told The Zimbabwe Mail that if the South African government position on the matter was implemented, it would make it difficult for Zimbabweans to go back to South Africa due to the stringent conditions that would be associated with the re-application process.
"It would be hard for Zimbabweans to get back into South Africa as they will be exposed to rigorous conditions of justifying their stay there," Nyathi said.
"We understand the Department of Labour will then be involved in the screening process to certify that the permit-seekers are genuine. Once a person is rejected it will be hard for applicants to go back into South Africa."
Nyathi also said Zimbabweans' stay in South Africa hinge on a decision that would be announced next week by the ministry of Home affairs.
"We are waiting for a final decision that will be handed down by the ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday and we are hoping that a higher office will relax the conditions and then we can sit down and discuss our reaction as civic organisations," he said.
Zimbabwe's more than a decade-long economic crisis resulted in many people seeking employment in neighbouring countries, as well as Europe and the United States, but South Africa remains the destination of choice for many because of proximity.
Source - Zim Mail
