185 000 Zimbabwean Special Permits approved

Source: SAnews.gov.za, 24/08/2015

Pretoria – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says since the
inception of the Zimbabwean Special Permits (ZSP), a total of 197 303
ZSP applications were adjudicated and a total of 185 075 were
approved.


The special permits were introduced to allow Zimbabweans a three-year
residency in South Africa.


Addressing the media in Pretoria earlier today, Minister Gigaba said
the feedback from the Zimbabweans have been very positive with many
confirming improved employment, business and social environment as
well as the ease of financially transacting and receiving medical
treatment and other services.


"The bulk of the remaining work is administrative, involving printing
and dispatching of outstanding ZSP certificates to VFS, followed by
clients` collection of decision.


"The good news is that adjudication is almost complete, leaving us
with only 0.3 percent to adjudicate," Minister Gigaba said.


However, Minister Gigaba warned that those who failed to apply or who
do not collect their documents could be deported.


According to the Minister, 30 September 2015 is the target for
completion of outstanding tasks including collections.


The cut-of date for receiving ZSP applications was December 2014. The
applications were received by VFS Global and adjudicated over by the
department.


The Department has engaged VFS Global, as a partner, to receive the
applications. VFS Global started receiving applications, online, on 1
October 2014.


The ZSP permits are valid until 31 December 2017.


Minister Gigaba explained that after the expiry date, from 1 January
2018, Zimbabweans would have to apply for a normal visa which is
applicable in law.


"We have emerged out of the ZSP process even the more wiser, knowing
what systems and processes work the better to curb corruption and
violations of the permitting systems," Minister Gigaba said.


According to Minister Gigaba, the department is reviewing rejected
cases (12 228 applications) to ensure the integrity of the final
decision on the rejection and to prevent unwarranted appeal
applications.


The requirements for the new ZSP included a valid Zimbabwean passport;
Proof of employment/proof of business registration/proof of
registration from a learning institution and a DZP reference number
that had to be used for lodging the ZSP application online.


The ZSP permits are collected from VFS centres from Monday to Saturday
from 08:00 to 17:00. Permits not collected on or before 30 September
will be returned to the department. – SAnews.gov.za