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Home affairs to send Zimbabweans on special permits packing

Source: Biztech, 20/03/2017


Home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba is expected to announce changes to
the countries position on Zimbabwe special permits (ZSPs) before the
end of the month â€" with all indications that there is no room for
extension according to a report by The Sunday Times.


This follows earlier confirmation by home affairs media liasion
officer Thabo Mokgola to Ground Up who noted that the Minister has
made it clear that there would not be an extension of the ZSP.


The ZSP was first introduced in October 2014 as a three year permit
that would allow Zimbabwean nationals living in the country to legally
work own a businesses and study in South Africa despite not carrying a
valid visa.


By ending the ZSP programme Zimbabwean nationals (who are not
currently in the country legally) will now only be allowed to enter
the country if they meet the requirements for a regular study work or
business visa. They would also need to leave South Africa and apply
for these visas back in Zimbabwe.


In February Gigaba announced a new hard-line stance on foreigners in
the country and noted that he would be specifically targeting
businesses who hire undocumented workers saying that they will be
found out and charged.


Violence against foreigners in South Africa has also escalated in
recent months including an anti-foreigner march held by residents in
Pretoria and the burning of alleged ‘brothels and drug dens in
Rosettenville Johannesburg which were mainly occupied by foreigners.


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