South Africa: 200 000 Face Deportation From SA

Source: The Herald (Harare), 06/02/2017

At least 200 000 Zimbabweans in South Africa face deportation at the
expiry of their special dispensation permits on December 31.


The figure is a far cry from the alleged 3 million touted by
Zimbabwean opposition political parties as the number of Zimbabweans
resident in South Africa as they seek to cast aspersions on
Government.


South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba was quoted in the
South African media last week, saying the special permit arrangement
could not continue forever.


He said some Zimbabweans might be forced to regularise their stay in
that country or apply for visas like other foreigners.


"We cannot offer permanent residency for such a high number of
people," said Minister Gigaba.


Minister Gigaba said there were 197 000 people on the special permit
arrangement, adding that he would make an announcement on the ZSP
before the end of this month.


He urged Zimbabweans to take full advantage of other visas provided by
South Africa.


"We will make a well-thought-out decision, hopefully with the support
of my cabinet colleagues."


Minister Gigaba said his government was considering setting quotas on
the number of foreigners interested in working or running businesses
in South Africa.


He said they were also working on a proposal first made in the green
paper on international migration in June to have quotas on the number
of economic migrants in the country.


According to the South African Home Affairs Department, economic
migrant refers to foreign nationals who migrate for economic reasons
such as seeking employment or to conduct business.


Minister Gigaba said his country would start enforcing South African
law requiring that 60 percent of all workforces should be made up of
locals in the hospitality sector.


The law will also be enforced in the construction, agriculture and
mining industries, which have a number of foreigners in their
employ.


Ms Roshan Dadoo of the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South
Africa said the looming end of the ZSP made no sense as it could lead
to Zimbabweans with jobs in the country being declared illegal