News / National
Doom for Zimbabweans in South Africa
05 Jul 2014 at 19:23hrs | Views
ZIMBABWEANS in South Africa will have to return home eventually following fears by the neighbouring country's Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba that their continued stay there will result in unintended social and economic consequences.
Responding to a question from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Morning Live presenter Peter Ndoro on whether Zimbabweans will be sent home upon expiry of their permits, Gigaba said there will be sent home, but not this year.
"If we continue to provide special dispensation, the system might shock us when we wake up to discover that more than 250 000 Zimbabweans have applied for permanent residence permits. We do not want to shock the system," he said.
However, Gigaba reiterated that Zimbabweans who received Special Dispensation Visas (DZP) under an amnesty programme in 2010 to legalise their stay in South Africa will be provided with an extension, but it will be different from the previous DZP permit.
"We will provide an extension, but it will be different from the previous one because they (Zimbabweans) have to eventually return home," said Minister Gigaba.
Furthermore, Gigaba dismissed reports that raft of new Immigration and regulations crafted by the South African government which came into effect last month had "xenophobic" overtures against immigrants.
"The new legislation is not meant to shut out immigrants, especially Africans out of South Africa but people who are undesirable. These include child traffickers, drug smugglers and all criminals."
Gigaba said South Africa needs immigrants to drive the retail sector and develop the border towns of South Africa and new immigrations rules were also in the interest of foreigners coming into South Africa.
"People coming aboard a bus from Zimbabwe to shop here in South Africa benefit our retail sector of the economy. Musina up to Johannesburg city have benefited immensely as a result of these people."
"When we regulate their entry into the country, we do so to guarantee their security, so that they enjoy their stay."
Moreover, Gigaba said South African government will not employ the army to patrol the border but the Border Management Agency which is part of Customs will be responsible for directing all people to the legal ports of entry.
"There will be a trip by our officials to learn from other countries on how they manage their borders. The department will not employ the army to patrol the border, but it will be managed by the Border Management Agency," he said.
Responding to a question from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Morning Live presenter Peter Ndoro on whether Zimbabweans will be sent home upon expiry of their permits, Gigaba said there will be sent home, but not this year.
"If we continue to provide special dispensation, the system might shock us when we wake up to discover that more than 250 000 Zimbabweans have applied for permanent residence permits. We do not want to shock the system," he said.
However, Gigaba reiterated that Zimbabweans who received Special Dispensation Visas (DZP) under an amnesty programme in 2010 to legalise their stay in South Africa will be provided with an extension, but it will be different from the previous DZP permit.
"We will provide an extension, but it will be different from the previous one because they (Zimbabweans) have to eventually return home," said Minister Gigaba.
Furthermore, Gigaba dismissed reports that raft of new Immigration and regulations crafted by the South African government which came into effect last month had "xenophobic" overtures against immigrants.
Gigaba said South Africa needs immigrants to drive the retail sector and develop the border towns of South Africa and new immigrations rules were also in the interest of foreigners coming into South Africa.
"People coming aboard a bus from Zimbabwe to shop here in South Africa benefit our retail sector of the economy. Musina up to Johannesburg city have benefited immensely as a result of these people."
"When we regulate their entry into the country, we do so to guarantee their security, so that they enjoy their stay."
Moreover, Gigaba said South African government will not employ the army to patrol the border but the Border Management Agency which is part of Customs will be responsible for directing all people to the legal ports of entry.
"There will be a trip by our officials to learn from other countries on how they manage their borders. The department will not employ the army to patrol the border, but it will be managed by the Border Management Agency," he said.
Source - radiodialogue
