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Zimbabweans under ZSP have to look for other options, says Gigaba

Source: Bulawayo News, 08/09/2016

THE almost 200 000 Zimbabweans currently on permits issued under the
Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) project have to seek alternative
permits if they wish to extend their work, study or stay in South
Africa beyond 2017, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on
Wednesday.

"Those from Zimbabwe, as we announced last year when we announced the
extension until December 2017, will, in the meantime, between now and
December 31st of 2017, have to regularise themselves in South Africa
by applying for other permits and visas which are provided for in the
Immigration Act," Gigaba told reporters in Rustenburg.

"The special Zimbabwe dispensation cannot exist forever. We,
therefore, have to move towards a phase where we regularise them by
ensuring that we provide them with visas in terms of the Immigration
Act, and not through special arrangements."

Asked what would happen to the Zimbabweans based in South Africa if
they have not attained other permits by December 2017, when they
special dispensation permits expire, Gigaba said he wouldn't speculate
on the matter.

"Should the end of December 2017 and we have people who have not yet
regularised themselves differently, out of the Zimbabwe special
dispensation, I think we will look at the matter then. I don't want to
speculate about what will happen at that time but obviously, we will
look at the Immigration Act, the new international migration white
paper that will have been adopted by then and we will see how we deal
with those situations," said Gigaba.

"Quite clearly, what we would like to do, to the best extent possible,
is to regularise the stay of foreign nationals in our country, to
documents those that qualify for documentation but otherwise the
provisions of the Immigration Act will have to kick in. Those who are
not properly documented will now face deportation, but it's not
something we are thinking about at the present moment."

He said the Pretoria authorities would also look into "personal
circumstances of the holders of those permits when the end of December
2017 comes."

In 2009, the South African Cabinet approved the Zimbabwe Dispensation
Project (DZP) which gave Zimbabweans working, studying or running
businesses across South Africa an opportunity to regulate their stay
with five-year permits. When the DZP ran it's course, with just over
245 000 permits issued, Pretoria introduced the three-year permits
under the ZSP.

"We are appreciative of the many contributions made by Zimbabweans in
our society and economy. Zimbabweans have made notable contributions
in our education and health sectors for example as teachers and health
professionals, and in many other sectors," Gigaba said while
introducing the ZSP in 2014.

"In general, we appreciate the contribution of the immigrants in our
country in terms of enhancing our social, cultural and economic life."

Stringent application conditions for the ZSP permit applications,
however, included that the applicant must have a valid Zimbabwean
passport; evidence of employment, business or accredited study; and a
clear criminal record.

Gigaba indicated in 2014 that ZSP permit-holders who wish to stay in
South Africa after the expiry of the permits in 2017, must return to
Zimbabwe to apply for mainstream visas and permits provided for, under
the South African Immigration Act.

By December 2014, home affairs had received more than 207 000 ZSP
applications, with the department subsequently rejecting 12,228 of the
applications and approving 185 075 permits.

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