Time for Zim professionals in SA to return home: Mantashe

AFRICAN National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe believes it's high time professional Zimbabweans in South Africa return home and help in the rebuilding of the economy.

Mantashe said because of Zimbabwe's intellectual prowess, South Africa had benefited a lot and Zimbabwe now needed its expertise to also grow.

In an interview during his recent visit here, Mantashe said Zimbabwe's education policies had developed a competent human resource base.

"We benefited a lot from Zimbabwean intellectual capacity from those millions of Zimbabwe who are in our country," Mantashe said. "They helped us build our economy but we believe it's high time they come back here and help build the economy here."

Zimbabwe's education policies, Mantashe said, had been good in promoting an educated nation.

He, however, could not disclose what mechanism he wanted implemented in making sure Zimbabweans resident in that country return to Zimbabwe.

Early this month, the South African Cabinet approved the deportation of all Zimbabweans who have not regularised their stay in that country.

South Africa government spokesperson Mr Themba Maseko said deportations of Zimbabweans would commence from January 1 next year.

"Zimbabweans who are working, conducting business or studying in South Africa, will be issued with working permits, business permits or study permits respectively, provided they have valid Zimbabwean documents.

"There will also be an amnesty for Zimbabweans, who may have obtained South African identification documents fraudulently, on condition that such documents are returned to the Department of Home Affairs with immediate effect. Those who return the illegal documents, will be issued with the relevant permits," Mr Maseko said.