NEW SA PERMITS FOR ZIMBABWEANS

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THE South African Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new special dispensation process for Zimbabweans, ending months of uncertainty caused by the country’s recently introduced immigration rules.

THE South African Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new special dispensation process for Zimbabweans, ending months of uncertainty caused by the country’s recently introduced immigration rules.

NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER

South Africa’s Home Affairs minister Malusi Gigaba has been tasked with revealing details of the new permit system.

The announcement would come as a great relief for more than 250 000 Zimbabweans issued with special permits in 2009 to legalise their stay in South Africa.

However, some permits have expired and most are due to expire by the end of the year and this had fuelled anxiety resulting in some losing around R13 000 to bogus permit facilitators.

The new development was revealed in a statement issued by the South African acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams yesterday.

“Cabinet approved the new Zimbabwean dispensation process. The Minster of Home Affairs will conduct a separate media briefing to announce details of this process,” Williams said briefly.

Last week, Gigaba held talks with his Zimbabwe counterpart Kembo Mohadi in Pretoria to seek common ground on the permits dispensation timeframe.

Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairperson Ngqabutho Mabhena welcomed the move.

“We welcome the decision by the South African government in approving the renewal of the special permits issued to Zimbabwe nationals four years ago,” he said.

“We are delighted by this move and are waiting the details from Gigaba.”

South Africa recently unveiled a string of stringent immigration regulations that would see Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals who overstay being banned from entering South Africa as it tightens immigration regulations.