ZEP 6 months extension a dummy: Zimbos

0Shares

Minister creating time to strategise as he faces prospects of losing the case in court

Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe’s Diaspora organisations based in South Africa are not impressed by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s extension of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) by six months.

They described the moved as ‘a dummy’ which is designed to hoodwink people into believing that the minister was considerate.

The organisation’s responses followed after Motsoaledi shifted the December 2022 deadline he had given to over 178 000 ZEP holders to migrate to other visas or face deportation.

Motsoaledi has now moved the deadline to June 2023, which ZEP holders’ representatives view as a non-event.

**South-Africa-Home-Affairs-Minister-Pakitshe-Aaron-Motsoaledi**

African Diaspora Global Network, Chairman Dr. Vusi Sibanda, told Zimbabwe Observer that the Minister’s decision does not address the problems being faced by Zimbabwean trying to migrate from ZEP to mainstream visas.

“This is a dummy. I think this is a chance for Home Affairs to try and strategise, I suppose after their legal advisors told them that they stand very good chances of losing this case in court. Six months doesn’t make much of a difference, because people do not qualify for the mainstream visas, that is the issue and will not be able to qualify in six months,” said Dr. Sibanda.

Dr. Sibanda said the ANC was merely playing to the gallery to please the electorate and ruled out any chances of the Minister relaxing requirements needed for one to qualify for the mainstream visa.

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum Chairman, Gabriel Shumba said the extension falls short of answering his organisation’s concern over the lack of adequate consultations by the Home Affairs department with the affected Zimbabweans.

“Our position however remains that not enough consultation has been made on the very grave and life changing issue, especially for those who were previously on asylum and Refugee and as well as others who have since married and have children in RSA,” said Shumba.

Shumba also added that it was ironic that the termination of ZEP was targeting those who made efforts to legalise their stay.

“This is even more evident as Applicants’ letter are many times rejected at VFS, particularly in Pretoria on spurious grounds when ZEP holders attempt to submit waiver applications,” said the ZEF boss.

Shumba called upon the Home Affairs department to resuscitate the stakeholder’s forum, which was initiated by the then Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, at the beginning of the ZEP process.

“This is the forum which can assist in looking at this sensitive issue holistically,” he added.

Chairman of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa Nqabhuto Mabena said the six months could only be used to get clarity on how to migrate to other visas.

“This is not a victory but gives us an opportunity to ensure that people get granted mainstream visas. We are encouraging everyone to submit their applications on or before 31 December 2022, so that in 2023 we deal with whatever outcome the DHA will give holder of ZEP.