News / National
Zim migrants in South Africa worried about the future
21 Jun 2011 at 05:04hrs | Views
Zimbabwean migrants on the streets of Johannesburg on Monday said they are worried about what will happen to them after the special permit adjudication process ends at the end of July.
The Home Affairs Department said it will have finished processing all the permits under the Zimbabwean special dispensation before August.
Those still waiting for documentation say they are scared they may be deported. Twenty-year old Takudzwa, who came to South Africa in 2008, and has been living in the Central Methodist Church since he arrived in Johannesburg, said people are worried about the future.
"People are afraid. Remember the reason people are coming here is because they are running from persecution and imagine saying to that individual go back again and face the same consequences," he said.
Takudzwa said people are leaving the church and trying to hide themselves to avoid being sent back to Zimbabwe. He is worried that with the deportations will come a resurgence of xenophobic violence.
The Home Affairs Department said it will have finished processing all the permits under the Zimbabwean special dispensation before August.
"People are afraid. Remember the reason people are coming here is because they are running from persecution and imagine saying to that individual go back again and face the same consequences," he said.
Takudzwa said people are leaving the church and trying to hide themselves to avoid being sent back to Zimbabwe. He is worried that with the deportations will come a resurgence of xenophobic violence.
Source - EWN
