THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans living in South Africa are divided on the planned move by some of their compatriots to approach the courts to seek an extension of the Zimbabwe Special Permits (ZSP) expiring at the end of this year.
By KHANYILE MLOTSHWA
There have been reports that some Zimbabweans are planning to approach South African courts requesting the extension of the ZSP and a right to submit their papers within South Africa rather than at VFS offices in Zimbabwe.
Leon Isaacson, the managing director of Global Migration SA, said the planned litigation is “a private and individual application initiative, which will request specific terms as people are tired of living transitory lives”.
“While costs have been kept to a minimum, those who participate are responsible for their own costs and share the costs of any later litigation,” he said.
“The applicants have all complied with the conditions of extended dispensation permits, which allow them to work, study or conduct business for three years until the end of December 2017.
“They are all productive and economically active members of the South African society and do not see a future for themselves in Zimbabwe, as their families and friends have kept them informed of the situation there.”
However, the leader of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Mabhena, has expressed reservations about the planned court action.
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“My personal view on the matter is that we need to wait for the government to make an announcement on ZSP before going to court,” he said.
“The announcement to close down the then DZP and the opening of the ZSP was made in August 2014. The application process opened from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Going to the courts before an announcement is made, in my view, is not strategic, unless someone has inside information on what will happen to the ZSP.”
Mabhena has, for the past few years, engaged the South African government to be more lenient on Zimbabweans domiciled in that country.
