Zimbabweans in limbo after giving Home Affairs asylum papers

Source: GroundUp, 06/09/2018

Special dispensation was meant to regularise Zimbabweans but left many
undocumented for years.
In 2009, the South African government introduced a Dispensation of
Zimbabwean Permit (DZP) to legalise the many Zimbabweans already
inside the country because of the political and socio-economic
situation at home.
Zimbabweans who until then had applied for asylum were encouraged to
apply for a DZP. When applying their asylum documents were retained by
the Department of Home Affairs. Almost a decade later, some of these
Zimbabweans who gave up their asylum papers have still not received
their DZPs.
As undocumented people they have been struggling to find employment,
open bank accounts, study, enrol their children in schools, and get
treatment at hospitals. They also face the threat of being arrested
for being illegally in the country.
Approximately 295,000 Zimbabweans applied for the permit. Just over
245,000 permits were issued, with the balance being denied due to lack
of passports or non-fulfilment of other requirements. The permits were
valid for four years. In 2014, the DZP was renamed the Zimbabwe
Special Permit (ZSP); and then in 2017 renamed the Zimbabwe Exemption
Permit (ZEP).
Judith (surname withheld), a widow, gave in her asylum papers in 2010,
but never received a DZP. Documents show that Judith and her husband
(who passed away in January) had applied for the DZP in Paarl on 30
December 2010.
Judith has lost her job at a wine farm. Her employer will only
reinstate her if she provides a valid document for being in South Africa.
In 2011, her son was hit by a truck on his way from school and spent a
long time in hospital. The Road Accident Fund processed his claim but
will only pay the money into a bank account in his name, but he cannot
open an account because of his undocumented status. He is 18 years old
now and struggling to register for university.
Judith travelled from De Doorns, where she lives, to seek help from
PASSOP (People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty), a community
based non-profit organisation. Tendai Bhiza of PASSOP said it has
about 20 people in its database facing similar challenges.
Judith said it has been difficult to pursue the DZP because of cash
constraints, her living far from the city, and the fact that she had
to care for her son after the accident. She also lost valuables and
was displaced during the violence characterised by xenophobia in 2010.
“In August I gave up, packed my stuff and returned to Zimbabwe. I was
ready to restart, make sacrifices but I failed to keep up with the
Zimbabwean current situation,” she said. She found it too hard and
returned to South Africa.
Phyllis (not her real name) gave up her asylum papers in 2010 in
favour of the DZP. She set up a business selling brooms, detergents
and mops. She has five children and is separated from their father.
But her DZP was never forthcoming. Phyllis has had to put her children
on her ex-husband’s refugee application. He is based in Durban. She
has spent thousands of rands on transport, taking her children every
three months to renew their asylum documents in Durban. She has now
sent three of her children to her mother in Zimbabwe.
She registered her two youngest children at school using her sister’s
ZEP permit. Her business is also registered in her sister’s name. All
banking transactions are done through her sister’s account.
“While I don’t have anything to hide from my sister… it would be good
to have privacy. But I can’t, since I rely on her documents for
everything,” she said.
She is scheduled for surgery at Karl Bremer hospital and is worried
she might be refused treatment (though this would be illegal).
Chairman of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa Ngqabutho Nicholas
Mabhena said people who gave up their asylum documents in 2010 and
never received the DZP were unable to get the 2014 ZSP or the 2017
ZEP. They are also unable to reapply for asylum.
“A person who did not get a DZP cannot be assisted. We are currently
negotiating for the SADC Work Visa hoping that those who missed out
will be accommodated,” said Mabhena.
GroundUp asked Home Affairs Media Manager David Hlabane if there was
any hope for these people especially since they had forgone their
asylum in favour of a DZP.
Hlabane replied: “Applications for the new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit
(ZEP) closed several months ago, in 2017. The Department is currently
adjudicating applications that were received before the closing date,
a process which should be completed around October 2018, therefore no
new applications can be taken. Requirements for qualifying to apply
for the ZEP were also stated publicly, including the condition that
the applicants must be holders of the (old) ZSP.”