THE Zimbabwe embassy in South Africa has opened a consulate office in Cape Town in a move aimed at facilitating easy processing of documents for thousands of Zimbabweans in that country, a refugee rights group has said. CHIEF REPORTER
According to People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (Passop), the new office would mainly deal with the processing of passports and birth certificates.
In a statement, Passop said no asylum applications would be processed at the new office.
“In a positive move for Zimbabweans living in Cape Town and surrounding areas, the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has opened consulate offices in Cape Town.
“You can apply for Zimbabwean passport, birth certificate and other related documents in Cape Town.
“Please note, for new asylum applications, you will still have to travel to Pretoria, Musina or Port Elizabeth,” Passop said in a statement.
Estimates indicate there are close to three million Zimbabweans in South Africa, with the majority of them either struggling to secure proper documentation or being illegal residents.
In 2010, thousands of undocumented Zimbabwean asylum seekers benefited from the South African Department of Home Affairs special dispensation during which they were issued with work and study permits with a duration of between three and four years as long as they possessed a valid Zimbabwe passport.
