Cosatu making attempts to negotiate for Zimbabwean migrants

THE Congress of South African Unions (Cosatu) has revealed plans to engage the government on behalf of Zimbabweans that are likely to be deported due to expiry of the Special Dispensation Permits (ZSP) on December 31.

This follows an announcement last week by South African minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, who said following deliberations, the SA government had decided that it would not renew ZSP permits, and would give its holders one year to apply for other visas.

Around 300 000 Zimbabweans are in South Africa as holders of ZSP.

"At the expiry of this 12-month period, those who are not successful will have to depart the republic or be deported," Gungubele said last week.

But yesterday Cosatu's International relations secretary Sonia Mabunda-Kaziboni said the organisation would find ways to assist the affected Zimbabweans through negotiations with the SA government.

"Right now we are trying to help comrades with the ZSP issue. It's not looking good, especially because the government has already made a declaration… but we'll try to see if there's a way to get an extension at least," Mabunda-Kaziboni said.

She said she would advise after the engagement with the leadership today (Monday), but indicated that it was a very tricky situation for the union.

Indications are that the government of SA's decision was prompted by the sporadic threats and demonstrations by South Africans who opposed the renewal of Zimbabwean permits.

The SA government reportedly fears the possibility of uncontrollable xenophobic attacks on Zimbabweans once it announces the extension of the ZSP permits.

This was after South Africans launched a campaign dubbed #NotoZimbabweanpermits extension.

Zimbabwe Community in South Africa (ZCSA) leader, Ngqabutho Mabhena last week said his organisation would engage the SA government on its decision to stop extending the permits.