Zimbabweans suffer slowly in South Africa as ZEP Permits about to expire

Zimbabwean discussion on the ZEP permits expiration in South Africa.

Source: VOA News Live Talk - VOA Zimbabwe

Low-skilled Zimbabweans struggle to qualify for SA visas as deadline for expiry of exempted permits looms

Many believe SA government is pushing them back to Zimbabwe by doing away with special permits. Thousands of low-skilled Zimbabwean nationals are finding it difficult to qualify for visas and many believe the SA cabinet's decision to do away with the special exemption permit is aimed at pushing them out of the country.

HOME AFFAIRS THRUSTS LOOMING ZEP EXPIRATION UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Clement Manyathela spoke to Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi about the termination of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits and the establishment of the Border Management Authority.

The Department of Home Affairs is serious about introducing the Border Management Authority (BMA) in South Africa.

It has been almost twelve months since the expiry of the special Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was announced.

In November, the government announced the decision to discontinue the ZEP.

The looming expiration of the ZEP has many Zimbabweans fearing deportation.

This will affect some 178 000 Zimbabwean immigrants in the country.

WHAT WILL THE BMA DO?

According to the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa has been facing challenges with border control.

He cited the country's porous borders as the reason for the special border authority being established.

The minister said the BMA sought to comprehensively control the country's borders with support from immigration control, customs control, the South African Police Service, the South African army, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Health.

The BMA will, thus, will have these entities operate under a single structure controlled and monitored by an overall commander which Motsoaledi said would help with accountability issues at the border.

In terms of operations, what happens at the border every day, you'll now have a commissioner who's going to be bugging commands. That's the main difference we need the Border Management Authority, as against the multi-agency method which we are using, now... You'll know exactly who to go to. You're not thrown from pillar to post.
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minster of Home Affairs
THE FUTURE FOR ZIMBABWEAN IMMIGRATION MOVING FORWARD

So what does this, ultimately, mean for Zimbabwean immigrants without legally documentation of their refugee status in the light of the ZEP?

This, according to Motsoaledi, is more complex than people may realise.

The minister laments that the ZEP is a specialised permit for Zimbabweans designed to legitimise their stay in the country.

The different conditions that may warrant a permit have seventeen different permits which provides immigrants with more than the scarce skills permit to apply for.

There are 17 different permits that home affairs can issue to immigrants. They include the scarce or critical skills visa, a study visa, a visitors visa, a relatives visa, a general work visa, a retirement visa, a temporary residency visa, and a permanent residency visa.

Motsoaledi said from January 2021 to December 2021, Zimbabwean immigrants account for 38% going to scare and critical skills visas, 25% going to study visas, 15% going to general working visas, and 14% going to relative visas.

This could possibly be the reason that the ZEP exists in the first place, which Motsoaledi advocates should give Zimbabwean immigrants something to ease their minds, particularly due to scarce skills not being the only condition for them to be granted legal immigration status.

You look at which [condition] is suitable for you... I mentioned, in January, that this is an advantage for certain people because when they were given a special permit [previously], there was a clear condition that you were not to apply for any other. Even if you get married, you can't apply for citizenship which is unfair.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minster of Home Affairs
You can find out more about the ZEP here.

Source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2022-07-12-low-skilled-zimbabweans-struggle-to-qualify-for-sa-visas-as-deadline-for-expiry-of-exempted-permits-looms/

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