Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The South African government is not processing new permit applications from Zimbabweans in that country, an official from the Home Affairs Department has said.

In an interview, Home Affairs spokesperson, Mr Thabo Mokgola said the processing of Zimbabwe Special Permits was concluded in 2014.

The development means only 200 000 Zimbabweans with the special permits would qualify to obtain the new Zimbabwe Exemption Permits.

The exemption permits would be valid for the next four years.

“The process was concluded in 2014 and those who failed to qualify at that time were given the reasons and a window period to make representations.

“Honestly, we can’t take three years to process a permit,” he said.

However, Zimbabweans staying in South Africa have commended the host government for introducing a new four-year permit.

The ZEP is valid between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021, and replaces the Zimbabwe Special Permit whose lifespan ends on December 31 this year.

According to South Africa’s Home Affairs Department, the ZEP facility is only available to 197 941 holders of the ZSP permit.

In separate interviews yesterday, Zimbabweans said the new development brought an end to months of speculation on reports that the country was introducing stiff measures for immigrants.

“This is a relief to the thousands of Zimbabweans who have endured several months of speculation on their status at the expiry of the ZSP,” Mr Giyani Dube, a representative of Zimbabweans staying in South Africa.

“We commend South Africa for relaxing the application process, in that people don’t necessarily have to go back home to apply for the ZEP permits,” he said.

Mr Dube urged Zimbabweans to take advantage of the application window, which is between September 15 and November 30.

“We are working together as teams in making the applications online and also sharing vital information on the application process through several media platforms,” he said.

Mr Dube, however, expressed concern at the number of Zimbabweans whose applications were still pending at the home affairs offices.

“We are also happy that the online application system is efficient though there are a few technical glitches due to congestion. Naturally, under such circumstances everyone would want to be the first to apply before the window closes,” he said.

Mr Edward Muchatuta, who coordinating the application processes, said they were working with the home affairs department and Zimbabwean Consulate in South Africa.

“We are worried with the situation were some of our members are yet to get feedback on the status of their ZSP permits. We are still compiling the numbers of those members who are likely to be affected by this technicality,” he said

The applicants are required to submit a valid Zimbabwean passport, evidence of employment (in the case of an application for work rights), evidence of business (in case of an application for business rights) and evidence of admission letter from a recognized institution (in case of an application for study rights).

The applicants also pay an administration fee of R1 090.

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