No need to panic over Zim dispensation
2010-09-04 22:26
Johannesburg - It is not necessary for Zimbabweans to go back home in order to legalise their stay in South Africa, Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said on Saturday.
"There is no requirement for Zimbabweans to go back home. They can approach the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria or consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town," he said responding to NGO's concerns about the withdrawal of the special dispensation for Zimbabwean nationals.
"Since the announcement on Thursday, there has been misinformation about the issue in the NGO sector and (with) immigration experts," he said adding that at no stage did the Cabinet or Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma mention that Zimbabweans have to cross the border to Zimbabwe to be documented.
The special dispensation implemented in April last year, allowed Zimbabweans crossing into South Africa the right to live, work, attend education facilities and access basic healthcare for a period of six months.
Timeframe
The special dispensation would come to an end on December 31.
NGO's advocating for refugees said the decision to withdraw the special dispensation would result in mass deportation for those who do not have the means to gain legal permit.
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JFS) spokesperson Jeanette Lesisa said they were also concerned about the timeframe offered to Zimbabweans.
"The time frame is four months. In this time, Zimbabweans must cross back into Zimbabwe, apply and obtain documents, re-cross into South Africa and apply again at Home Affairs for the relevant permit," she said in a statement.
She said there were some questions on whether it was realistic to expect this to happen legally within a four-month period.
"This process also does not address the fears and safety concerns of those who have fled from persecution in Zimbabwe," she said adding that returning to the country to obtain documents might be a life-threatening exercise.
Financial concerns
In addition to this, some who have left Zimbabwe due to economic hardship may not be able to afford the processing fees, now posted in US dollars.
Lesisa said the implication of a straight application or exchange under an amnesty, in terms of turning in counterfeit documents for work or study permits, does not address the fact that under South African legislation many Zimbabweans do not qualify for work visas.
This means that the plan to end the special dispensation would result in mass deportation of vulnerable individuals who do not have the means to gain a legal permit, but who have no support or survival strategies back in Zimbabwe.
She said the JRS would support initiatives that allow Zimbabweans to move more freely between South Africa and Zimbabwe, stimulating both economies through trade and investing their productive skills in building up socio-economic resources as a region.
Mamoepa explained that the process obtaining proper document would be facilitated in South Africa.
Pretoria and Harare would establish a joint monitoring and evaluation committee to oversee implementation of the process.
Issuing of various permits would commence between now and December 31, and the deportation of undocumented Zimbabweans would resume after this date.
- SAPA