via SA urged to clarify Zim permit renewal plans | SW Radio Africa by Alex Bell on Tuesday, April 29, 2014
The South African government is being urged to clarify how Zimbabweans can renew the special permits they were granted four years ago, before they expire in November.
Concern has been high ever since a cabinet resolution in March which stated that the permits, granted under the special dispensation period in 2010, would expire this November. Part of that resolution was an indication that the permits could be renewed, but only if the permit holders returned to Zimbabwe to do so.
Since then there has been little in the way of clarification from the South African authorities on how the renewal process will proceed, with many Zim nationals expressing fears of returning to Zimbabwe until there is a guarantee they can get the documents renewed in good time.
In an interview at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela reportedly said there was no reason to panic.
“I can assure you that the programme will not only see permits being renewed, but will also be extended beyond those who got the first permits. The plan is to give an extra year to those who already had permits, while new applicants will be thoroughly screened this time and required to satisfy some requirements that are still being set by government,” he was quoted by the NewsDay newspaper as saying.
He did not clarify the resolution on people returning home to renew or reapply for permits, saying only that: “Talks are going on between the two governments on how to roll out the second phase in a manner that will benefit both countries.”
Fears about the future have intensified since Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs Minister said that South Africa’s permit plans had not been communicated to them. Minister Kembo Mohadi was quoted as saying that the ZANU PF government was not in a position to offer any permits for Zimbabweans based in South Africa.
“The government only issues permits for foreigners who want to work here in Zimbabwe, not the other way round. As far as I am concerned permits for Zimbabweans who want to work in South Africa are done in that country not in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Daniel Muzenda, the spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Migrants Association said the authorities have not clarified the position since the cabinet resolution last month. He said that, with the country heading towards elections in May, Zimbabweans are being left to “wait and see” what is next for them.
“Zimbabweans here see this as an expulsion from South Africa, because they feel they will lose their jobs if they have to return home. We are trying to negotiate an extension of the permits and of the renewal process to see if there is a better way for people than to return home. But now we are waiting to see if a new administration will have a different approach after the elections,” Muzenda said.
COMMENTS
South Africa should give them full residency, it was their President Mbeki what was complicit with Mugabe to drive them a
all across the border.
All Shonas and other non-ndebeles should return home, but Ndebeles can stay becuase SA is their ancestral land.
Ha ha. This is unkind
CD, this tribalistic tendency does not benefit anyone, you included. Do not abuse this limited anonymity to say things that can bring hate and shame you and others.
Forget about anonymity these days, Baba Jukwa (NCA) can find exactly who you are.
The big question who is south Africa supporting the struggling ordinary people who seem to be their target or the toss pots positions who do not give a damn about them?
Why are the SADC and AU not having a dialogue with Migrant Organisations because they do not give a Stuff about the ordinary people they are just there for themselves South Africa is heading the presidency of the AU where is Zuma’s former wife or present wife?/ hae lost count??!!!
Countries like Botswana are also known to be hostile to ordinary migrants The Migrants organisations on the contient should name and shame the countries that do not welcome Migrants from other parts of africa
Zimbabwe makes a lot of problems for people who try to get residency here. Perhaps we should take the log out of our own eye before looking at the splinter in the South African eye.
The south african is just as bad as bob guptagate nkandlagate??!!
CD you should display maturity and think beyond tribe colour or creed. We have a bigger problem and you think shallow. South Africa has a right to limit foreign national more so if the country is not a war zone the sad part is that South Africa is wholly to blame for the downfall of Zimbabwe as Zuma was rush to endorse the last election that fell short of legitimacy but having said that we need to acknowledge that Tsvangirai was equally to blame for entering elections without a voters roll. In as much as we may want permits I,m certain we want our country back and this government must go unfortunately we don’t have a replacement as Tsvangirai is just as greedy and useless
Zimbabwe bcum oryt again