THE old adage that says "there is no place like home" — which has been
popular since 1822 when legendary English lyricist Sir Henry Bishop,
composed the song Home! Sweet Home — resonates with many people the
world over.



Owen Gagare

Sir Henry, the first musician to be knighted, repeats the line "there
is no place like home" twice in the three-line chorus.


Words in the song would appeal to many people around the world, but
this may not be the case with a large number of Zimbabweans who
continue to flee the country seeking greener pastures, thanks to the
government`s ruinous economic policies.


The story that we carry on Page 2, about the ballooning numbers of
Zimbabweans seeking work permits and study visas in South Africa, is a
candid indication that the economic deterioration at home is having a
huge impact on the lifestyles of people, hence the decision to seek
opportunities outside.


In short, the story reveals that the South African embassy in Harare
has processed an average of 300 applications a day in 2015 up from 150
in 2014.


This means the embassy is receiving 1 500 applications per week which
translates to about 6 000 a month.


The numbers do not include the thousands of Zimbabweans who do not
bother with the niceties of work permits and visa applications.


Instead, they choose to either walk or swim across the Limpopo River
braving the crocodiles and other inherent dangers that arise as they
seek to find a new home.


Since 2000, Zimbabweans have been emigrating to regional countries
such as South Africa, Botswana and to places such as the United
Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, but nowadays you can find
Zimbabweans in far-flung destinations like Afghanistan, United Arab
Emirates, China and Latin American countries.


The main reasons

for the exodus are political and economic. Larger
numbers fled to seek greener pastures as the economy went on a
downward spiral, which eventually led to record-breaking
hyperinflation of 231 million percent in 2008.


After the stability brought about by the inclusive government, which
resulted in some people abroad considering to come back home, Zimbabwe
has been hit by a fresh wave of migration due to the new economic
pressures.


This kind of migration disrupts the social lives of people who have to
struggle with new cultures and value systems.
A lot of Zimbabweans in South Africa, for example, have to battle
crime and xenophobic attacks while the millions living there illegally
have to play cat and mouse with the police on a daily basis. And even
if they were subjected to heinous and barbaric xenophobic attacks,
which often lead to death, many still choose not to return home.



There is no worse indictment on the government and country than this.
Sadly for Zimbabwe, those applying for permits are skilled and
experienced people who could play a critical role in the country`s
development.


Zimbabwe may never be able to attract back the skilled people who are
being frustrated out of the country.


Meanwhile, those in authority seem not bothered too much about the
country`s economic problems. Their eyes and energy are firmly fixed on
succeeding President Robert Mugabe (92 next month), who has clung onto
power despite his old age and obvious signs of frailty.


Thus the economic problems are set to continue unabated.


As a result, the exodus will only worsen and many Zimbabweans will not
be singing along to Bishop`s song of the joys of home anytime soon. V.1550

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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