Ordinary Zimbabweans tell us why they want to emigrate

Source: Sowetan Live, 15/11/2017

Emigration from Zimbabwe is soaring as ordinary residents despair at
the imploding economy and political instability‚ even before the
current political turmoil. A month ago‚ the publication`s Harare
correspondent Nhlalo Ndaba filed this report‚ which we republish today
to bring perspective to the unfolding situation:
Ahead of Zimbabwe’s general elections‚ scheduled to be held around
August 2018‚ the economy is imploding and some professionals as well
as ordinary Zimbabweans have lost faith in a political solution and
are now looking for greener pastures.
Sithembiso Ncube‚ a teaching assistant at one of Zimbabwe’s tertiary
institutions‚ has set her eyes on Australia. Despite academics earning
more than average government workers‚ their salaries are behind by
almost two months.
“Things are bad. I am surviving on bank overdrafts and the bank only
takes its money as and when government pays us. What hurts me most is
that they add interest‚” she said.
Her husband‚ Brian‚ owns a small construction company. But business is
hard to come by since people don’t have money to build. Some of his
machinery was attached by the messenger of court for failing to pay
workers.
Construction is a critical skill and the couple found it worthwhile to
choose a country where they will both have jobs.
“We passed visa interviews last month. He will go first and then I
will automatically get a spousal visa‚” said Sithembiso.
The Ncube’s are selling their movable property to raise a one-way
ticket for Brian.“When he arrives‚ the Australian government will
refund his airfare and that will be used to buy my ticket‚” she added.
According to Australian laws‚ the couple will have to work two years
for the government. Thereafter‚ get an option of taking up residence
or extend their visas.
In their circle of friends‚ a lawyer husband and computer engineer
wife left in December for Italy.
Another Zimbabwean who refused to be named returned back home in 2011
during the Government of National Unity (GNU) that brought stability
as President Robert Mugabe shared power with his erstwhile rival
Morgan Tsvangirai. But now‚ she is also on her way out.
“My standard of living has gone down and signs are that things will
only get worse‚” she said‚ as she sets her eyes on the United Arab
Emirates.
Doctors and nurses are also leaving in droves. Last year sizable
numbers relocated to Swaziland‚ Namibia and the United Kingdom. A
basic starting salary for a nurse in the UK before added benefits and
overtime is 21‚000 pound sterling per year â€` a far cry from the $4‚000
per year in Zimbabwe.
There is a lack of up-to-date statistics on the number of Zimbabweans
in the diaspora but the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
put the figure of those who left during the economic meltdown of 2008
at between 500‚000 and three million based on various sources like
government and non-governmental organisations.
For most ordinary Zimbabweans‚ South Africa is the destination of
choice. Statistics from the South African embassy in Harare indicate
that visa applications have doubled since 2014. The embassy now
processes an average of 6‚000 permits per month against 3‚000 three
years ago.
However‚ those in South Africa under the Zimbabwe Dispensation Permits
are racing against time to extend their stay.
“There is panic because by December everyone should have extended
their permits but the online system is not working properly‚ hence
some don’t have interview dates. It’s complete chaos‚” said Tendai
Bhiza from People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty (Passop) in
Cape Town.
The SA Department of Home Affairs opened applications for the new
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) in September. It replaced the
Zimbabwe Special Permit‚ which was awarded to about 200‚000 working
Zimbabweans in SA. On Friday‚ SA Home Affairs director-general Mkuseli
Apleni released a statement announcing that the cut-off date for ZEP
applicants to have their in-person appointments had been extended from
end-November to January 31 next year. This was a response to long
queues and a lack of time to complete the process.
Most Zimbabweans in South Africa are not documented and more are on
their way into the country.
“I charge R2‚000 to get a person into South Africa. I have roughly six
people every fortnight. Lately we have been transporting children who
are being reunited with their parents because life has become tough
back home‚” said a cross border transporter also known as Umalayisha.
Inside Zimbabwe‚ many Zimbabweans now treat cash as a commodity
instead of a store of value. Before spending it‚ they inquire about
the day’s rate.
“When I have cash I don’t use it to pay for bills. I check its rate
against the bond note or telegraphic transfer‚” said Sharon Murewa.
For example‚ the rate between the American dollar and telegraphic
transfer recently was 1=1‚5 â€` thus a US$100 would give one a value of
$150 in transfer money.
This week‚ Zimbabwe announced it has relaxed regulations barring the
import of basic commodities to avert a shortage of goods ahead of the
festive season.
Statutory Instrument 64 was put in place by the government to prevent
items such as groceries‚ building material and furniture from entering
the country‚ in an attempt to stimulate domestic production.
Now‚ anyone with foreign currency can approach the government for an
import permit.
However‚ the decision came a bit late‚ because retailers have been
accessing South African products such as milk‚ cooking oil‚ cereal‚
detergents‚ biscuits‚ razor blades â€` to name but a few â€` from the
runners and smugglers‚ popularly known as “Omalayitsha”.
With the disappearance of hard currencies on the streets‚ retailers
are forced to hike their prices‚ because buying rands using the local
bond notes is expensive.
“The rand trades on an average of R100-$7‚ but against the local bond
notes â€` which officially have the same value as the rand â€` it is
R100-$11. Therefore‚ I need more bond notes to get my hands on the
rand. To operate at a profit‚ I have to hike my prices every time the
bond notes lose value‚” said a supermarket owner.
Other notable price increases have been on items such as sanitary
pads‚ hair products‚ milk‚ whisky and even locally produced products
such as bricks.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha told journalists that to
avert spiralling prices‚ he would approach parliament to introduce
price controls.
But that may not help. Economist Stevenson Dhlamini said: “Price
controls will make goods only accessible on the black market at more
expensive prices‚ because traders will factor in the risk allowance‚
since they will be prone to police raids.”