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Zim special permit application process to reopen

Source: SA News, 08/04/2017

Cabinet has approved the reopening of the application process for the
current Zimbabwean Special Permit holders, under certain conditions.
The initial Special Dispensation for Zimbabweans was approved in April
2009 to document Zimbabwean nationals who were in South Africa illegally.
Their permits expire on 31 December 2017.
The ZSP allows applications from Zimbabweans with a valid Zimbabwean
passport, evidence of employment, business or accredited study and a
clear criminal record and if successful grants them a permit to stay
and work, study or run a business in South Africa.
About 200 000 Zimbabweans in possession of the special permit are
currently working or studying in the country.
The cut-of date for receiving ZSP applications was December 2014. The
applications were received by VFS Global and adjudicated over by the
Department of Home Affairs.
The special permits were introduced to allow Zimbabweans a three-year
residency in South Africa.
A similar initiative was granted for the Basotho nationals who were in
the country illegally. The LSP allows for Lesotho nationals to live in
South Africa legally.
At the time of the introduction of the LSP, the Department of Home
Affairs said the special permits were only for those Lesotho citizens
registered in the National Population Register of Lesotho.
South Africa granted an amnesty to Basotho in possession of
fraudulently acquired documentation, so that they can surrender such
documents, without the fear of arrest or deportation. Applicants
receive amnesty letters as proof. â€" SAnews.gov.za

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