Zimbabwe: Mass Exodus to SA Hits Zim As Economy Falters

Source: Zimbabwean Independent, 16/01/2016

The deepening economic crisis has resulted in a renewed exodus of
Zimbabweans seeking greener pastures with most heading to neighbouring
South Africa, the Zimbabwe Independent has learnt.


Statistics made available by the South African embassy shows that work
permit and study visa applications processed by the embassy in 2015
have doubled to 300 per day from about 150 per day in 2014.


The embassy is processing about 6 000 applications a month which
translates to about 72 000 applications a year as hordes of
Zimbabweans seek economic refuge.


The exodus has coincided with many companies either shutting or
scaling down operations resulting in massive job loses.


Zimbabwe's economy, which recorded double digit growth rates after the
formation an inclusive government in 2009, whose term lapsed I 2013,
is this year seen registering a modest 2,7% growth rate.


South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela told the
Independent in an interview this week that the embassy is overwhelmed
with the increased study and work permit applications.


Traditionally, applications reach a peak between November and
March.


"The queues are longer this year, others are actually being turned
away and are asked to submit their applications at a later date since
the embassy is also dealing with backlog of both study visas as well
as work permits," said Mavimbela.


Students who had come to collect their visas said they prefer to study
in South Africa as there were higher chances of securing employment
upon completion of their studies.


"These statistics consist of a few law-abiding Zimbabweans who are
willing to apply and wait for their work permits, there are still many
that are not captured in the system but still live and work in South
Africa," said Mavimbela.


Independent estimates show that the country's unemployment rate
currently stands at 85% while government figures released in the last
population census put the figure at 11% despite massive
de-industrialisation that has thrown thousands onto the
streets.


South Africa is Zimbabwe's major trading partner with imports from
that country accounting for nearly 70%.


In August 2014 South Africa extended an olive branch to hundreds of
thousands of Zimbabweans living in the country when it granted
three-year special permits to ease an immigration crisis.


Recent reports however show that nearly 12 000 applications have been
rejected resulting in deportations.


The Zimbabwe Special Permit, which expires in December 2017 allows
permit holders to live, work, conduct business and study in South
Africa for the duration of the permit.


On Wednesday government said"These statistics consist of a few
law-abiding Zimbabweans who are willing to apply and wait for their
work permits, there are still many that are not captured in the system
but still live and work in South Africa," said Mavimbela.


Independent estimates show that the country's unemployment rate
currently stands at 85% while government figures released in the last
population census put the figure at 11% despite massive
de-industrialisation that has thrown thousands onto the
streets.


it had received over 14 000 applications from graduates of tertiary
institutions seeking possible employment in several countries showing
the level of desperation amongst unemployed Zimbabweans.


The export of labour will start as soon as the human export policy
done by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and
Technology Development has been approved by cabinet.