Zimbabwean exiles in SA seek reprieve

Zimbabweans living in South Africa will this week engage the host government and seek a temporary reprieve as 40 000 face imminent deportation after they failed to apply for permits under that country's Zimbabwe Special Permit window.

Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum spokesman Trust Ndlovu said many Zimbabweans were left out due to the criteria and time frame given to people who were eligible to apply for the permits.

He said they would seek an extension to six months from the three months they were given from October-December.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government which in the past engaged South Africa, professed ignorance on the supposed deportations of its citizens resident in the neighbouring country.

South Africa had given Zimbabweans in that country up to 31 December, 2014 to apply for special permits but some Zimbabweans reportedly face difficulty with renewing their permits as they failed to get through the call centre and online service.