News / Africa
Gigaba's appointment as HA minister looks good for Zimbabweans
25 May 2014 at 21:36hrs | Views
Malusi Gigaba --- --- Image by: MARTIN RHODES
Johannesburg - South Africa President Jacob Zuma on Sunday appointed former Minister of Public Enterprises in the government of South Africa Knowledge Malusi Nkanyezi Gigaba (Malusi Gigaba) to Home Affairs minister, replacing Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor in a new cabinet line-up to start a second five-year term in office.
Gigaba (42) was born on 30 August 1971 in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. He was first elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in 1999 as part of the African National Congress, he resigned in 2001 but was re-elected in 2004.
As Deputy Minister of Home Affairs has was very vocal against xenophobia, actively advocating for inclusion of all Africans. He was involved together with Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in a new visa system allowing easier legal flow of migration between South Africa and Zimbabwe. This and positive changes made in the department have won him praise from human rights organization PASSOP and from Adbell Musati, whose Zimbabwean twin brother starved outside of the South African home affairs offices.
Gigaba understands the reasoning behind the issuing of the permits in 2010 because he was the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs then.
Permits issued to Zimbabweans under a special dispensation will expire in December this year, the department of home affairs said on Tuesday.
"Cabinet approved the approach on the expiry of permits issued under the special dispensation for Zimbabweans in terms of which permit-holders will be expected to re-apply for permits," the department said in a statement.
"As per Cabinet decision, the minister of home affairs will in due course provide more clarity on the process to be followed and the date of commencement."
Home affairs said it was not the country's intention to reverse the benefits of the dispensation, which gave permits to almost 250 000 Zimbabweans in South Africa.
In March, former Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said permit holders would be expected to re-apply for their permits in their country of origin.
Gigaba (42) was born on 30 August 1971 in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. He was first elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in 1999 as part of the African National Congress, he resigned in 2001 but was re-elected in 2004.
As Deputy Minister of Home Affairs has was very vocal against xenophobia, actively advocating for inclusion of all Africans. He was involved together with Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in a new visa system allowing easier legal flow of migration between South Africa and Zimbabwe. This and positive changes made in the department have won him praise from human rights organization PASSOP and from Adbell Musati, whose Zimbabwean twin brother starved outside of the South African home affairs offices.
Gigaba understands the reasoning behind the issuing of the permits in 2010 because he was the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs then.
"Cabinet approved the approach on the expiry of permits issued under the special dispensation for Zimbabweans in terms of which permit-holders will be expected to re-apply for permits," the department said in a statement.
"As per Cabinet decision, the minister of home affairs will in due course provide more clarity on the process to be followed and the date of commencement."
Home affairs said it was not the country's intention to reverse the benefits of the dispensation, which gave permits to almost 250 000 Zimbabweans in South Africa.
In March, former Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said permit holders would be expected to re-apply for their permits in their country of origin.
Source - Byo24News
