In a respite for tens of thousands of Zimbabwean workers in South Africa, who were on the brink of deportation as their work permits approached expiration at the end of June, the South African authorities have announced a deadline extension, prolonging their stay in the country. The holders of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, an immigration document issued in 2010 to Zimbabweans who migrated to South Africa, now have until the end of December this year to secure alternative visas and waivers, enabling them to continue their employment.
South Africa has become home to a significant number of Zimbabweans, including many undocumented individuals, with a notable influx occurring following the political and economic turmoil experienced in Zimbabwe in 2008. The upheaval forced many Zimbabweans to seek refuge in their southern African neighbour, leading to their current predicament.
Deportation loomed over these individuals due to various challenges encountered in acquiring work visas. These obstacles include technical glitches in the online application system, administrative delays, visa issuance backlogs, and the removal of certain occupations from the country’s scarce skills list.
Zimbabwe persistently grapples with the profound challenges stemming from economic turmoil, which has culminated in the unprecedented surge of unemployment rates, an alarming escalation of food prices, and the progressive erosion of the national currency’s strength.
In announcing this decision, Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Home Affairs, revealed that the department has been inundated with daily applications, ranging from 1,000 to 1,500, from Zimbabweans seeking visas and waivers to extend their stay in South Africa. Taking into account these factors, as well as submissions from affected Zimbabwean nationals, relevant officials of the Department of Home Affairs, and other stakeholders, the minister arrived at this considered decision.
Under this extension, Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders will be safeguarded from arrest, expulsion, or detention on the grounds of lacking a valid exemption certificate.
Various civil society organizations have taken recourse to legal measures against the government of South Africa, opting to pursue legal action in their endeavour to secure an extension of the established deadline. In their pursuit, these groups are fervently urging the authorities to exercise leniency by granting the applicants an extended timeframe to diligently obtain the requisite legal documentation that is imperative for their cause.
Nicholas Mabhena, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, expressed the community’s gratitude for this extension and emphasised the need for expeditious action from fellow Zimbabweans to transition to mainstream work permits. Mabhena noted that the permit holders include individuals who had long been residents of South Africa prior to the permits’ issuance in 2010, having lived and worked under a different immigration framework. Among them are teachers, general laborers, mechanics, domestic workers, and gas station attendants, who provide vital financial support to their families back home.
Mabhena cautioned that the departure of such a significant number of Zimbabweans from South Africa would have adverse economic implications for Zimbabwe, as these individuals play an instrumental role in keeping the economy afloat through monthly remittances sent back to their homeland.
Adding to the complex situation, Zimbabwe is set to hold national elections on August 23, already marred by allegations of violence and intimidation against opposition supporters by the ruling ZANU-PF government.
The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa unveiled that an approximate total of around 10,000 Zimbabwean nationals have duly enlisted themselves in the official records for the purpose of acquiring necessary aid and support in facilitating their intended repatriation back to Zimbabwe. This concerted effort by the embassy is in response to the impending expiration of their temporary residency permits, which were originally slated to reach their termination by the conclusion of the month of June.
Credit: Daniel Mensah Boafo on Unsplash
