SA re-introduces Visas for Zimbos

THE South African government has reintroduced a visa for Zimbabweans who stay in that country for more than 90 days.

The new measure, however, does not affect students who have study permits.

Those with jobs will be required to produce work permits when asked to do so by the authorities.

This means a Zimbabwean looking for a job or education placement in South Africa must do so within 90 days or secure a visa.

Anyone who fails to secure a visa after three months will be deported.

Pretoria scrapped visa requirements earlier this year and has been working with Harare to ensure Zimba-bweans who are there illegally regularise their stay.

A December 31 deadline has been set for regularisation and anyone who fails to get the documents by then will also be deported.

In an interview last week, South Africa's deputy director-general for immigration, Mr Jack Matei, said the scrapping of visas had seen many Zimbabweans illegally living and working in South Africa.

He said this had prompted them to re-introduce visas for anyone who stays for more than 90 days.

"We are very clear on the matter, if a Zimbabwean travels to SA he or she is supposed to have a study or work permit for him to stay in the country legally.

"In the event that one enters the country saying they are just visiting, they will be given 90 days to stay.

"When the days lapse they will be required to have a visa or else face deportation," said Mr Matei.

In another interview, South Africa's Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Mr Ronnie Mamoepa, said the issuing of visas was necessary for data keeping.

"People cannot illegally stay in the country hence the need for them to have visas after their permitted time frames lapse.

"You either secure the visa or face deportation if you do not," he said.

Mr Matei maintained that Pretoria would deport anyone who was not properly documented by the December 31 deadline.

"This is not an ultimatum, but an agreement made between Harare and Pretoria," he explained.

The Registrar-General's Office has dispatched teams to process documents for Zimbabweans staying illegally in that country ahead of the December 31 deadline.

As of September 21, 22 000 passports had been printed while 7 500 applicants had received the documents.