Plans to negotiate a grace period for prospective ZSP Permit holders

The Zimbabwe Stakeholders Forum is planning to negotiate a grace period for prospective holders of the Zimbabwean Special-dispensation Permit.

At the close of the online application process on December 31, 2014, about 207,000 applicants had submitted their renewal requests out of a total of 295,000 people who applied when the first special permit was rolled out in 2010. Notwithstanding deaths, relocation and loss of interest by some of the first applicants, the ZSF believes there could be many others who missed out on the December deadline.

"When you look at the figures of those applied for the DZP and those who have applied for the renewal, you will realise that many people were left out," said a ZSF member, who cannot be named for professional reasons.

"It is against that background that we are seeking a meeting with the Department of Home Affairs, to request an extension of the application and booking process by at least another month."

"We have also encountered problems of miscommunication between DHA and other sectors, which have seen applicants being given a few days at the border, some being booted out of employment, students being denied registration at tertiary institutions and bank accounts being closed because the initial permit has expired."

Meanwhile the first batch of permits was released last week. Unlike the DZP, the ZSP clearly indicates that its holder shall not be entitled to SA Permanent Residence after its expiry. It cannot be exchanged for a normal permit and cannot be renewed after its expiry.

"I received my permit on Wednesday and although it has so many restrictions, I am still happy that I have finally got it and life is back to normal for me again," said Senzeni Moyo.