Connect with us

Local News

Zimbabweans living in South Africa are pleased with the ZEP’s implementation.

Published

on

THE Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) praised the government for planning to help Zimbabweans return home when their exemption permits expire (ZEP).

South Africa has issued and extended special work and residency permits for skilled Zimbabweans.

An estimated 170 000 holders of the ZEP have till the end of June this year to move to mainstream permits in South Africa.

The last special permissions were awarded in 2017 and in November 2021. The South African Cabinet announced that no additional concessions would be permitted on ZEP holders.

Advertisement

The Department of Home Affairs gave a 12-month grace period up to the end of last month but later extended it until end of June this year.

The returning citizens have been provided a special provision by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to ship in all their belongings before the date of arrival in the national duty-free.

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum chairperson, Advocate Gabriel Shumba said the move by the Government was a step in the right direction.

“We have been regularly engaging with individuals and organizations that are affected by the upcoming repatriation of Zimbabweans from South Africa,” he said.

Advertisement

“We are impressed by the aggressive role that the Consulate has taken in engaging Zimbabweans in South Africa, in particular, Mrs Melody Chaurura (the consul-general) and her team.

In addition, we also commend the engagement that the International Organisation Migration (IOM) has had with several organisations to relieve the issues on the ground”.

Adv Shumba said there was also a need for the Government to educate the border authorities on the correct and proper processes to clear the ZEP permit holders returning home.

He said the duty free component was inspiring however there was a need to have a total waiver on all properties for individuals coming home.

Advertisement

The source added the problem of placement in schools for children of returnees returning from South Africa should also be looked into because the education curricula in the two countries are different.

“While we appreciate the relief given to Zimbabwean returnees in the form of priority clearance and some duty free concessions, we are receiving complaints that implementation remains a challenge for returnees,” said Adv Shumba.

While he praised the duty-free import concession, he worried that persons who have lived in South Africa for 10 years or more will be limited to one car.

Adv Shumba requested a blanket waiver on all returning properties.

Advertisement

He added they’d received distress calls from the crippled, who should be prioritized when coming home.

The Department of Immigration said it will help Zimbabweans return from the neighboring nation when the ZEP expires.

Acting Beitbridge Immigration Head Trustworthy Manatsire said border staff will ensure smooth clearance of returnees.

“We’re ready to help our brothers and sisters if they decide to come home,” he said.

Advertisement

“At the same time, we’ve instructed our police to provide returning residents with clear-out instructions.”

Mr. Manatsire said Zimbabweans who want to return home can contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa.

David Hamadziripi, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, stated last week that they are auditing the amount of Zimbabweans planning to return home before their permits expire.

He said, “We’ll map all provinces.”

Advertisement

Our representatives will travel to central locations to meet with ZEP holders.

“We’ll know how many are returning and what kind of help they need.”

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Check out Entertainment

‘Real Housewives van die Wynlande’ releases in April. Image: supplied. ‘Real Housewives van die Wynlande’ releases in April. Image: supplied.
Celebrities34 mins ago

‘Real Housewives van die Wynlande’: Meet the SA cast members

KykNet has announced that there will be a second Afrikaans series in the Real Housewives franchise titled Real Housewives van...

Cassper Nyovest Bets On Brian To Beat Big Zulu Cassper Nyovest Bets On Brian To Beat Big Zulu
Celebrities50 mins ago

Cassper Nyovest Bets On Brian To Beat Big Zulu

Cassper Nyovest reacts to Big Zulu’s forthcoming boxing match against Brian. The two musicians are expected to entertain people with...

The Megacy Rallies Behind AKA After He Bags 6 Nominations At Metro FM Music Awards 2023 AKA’s fans are happy that Kiernan bagged 6 nominations and that he is getting all the recognition that he deserves even in death. AKA’s legions of fans, the Megacy are, however, sad that their favourite rapper is not alive to witness all of this. After the nomination list was released, the Megacy took to social media to celebrate and rally behind AKA. The Megacy has vowed to vote for AKA and ensure that he scoops all the awards. Check out some of the reactions from social media; @ZaneshMaraj; I pray he takes them all home ❤❤🙌🙌 …We love and miss u Kiernan 😔😔 @Maysadidit; Megacy, lets make him win them all. @Brianworldwide2; Lets make him proud for the last time💪let’s vote for AKA @nadianakafans; Megacy attack! We are bringing this home The Megacy Rallies Behind AKA After He Bags 6 Nominations At Metro FM Music Awards 2023 AKA’s fans are happy that Kiernan bagged 6 nominations and that he is getting all the recognition that he deserves even in death. AKA’s legions of fans, the Megacy are, however, sad that their favourite rapper is not alive to witness all of this. After the nomination list was released, the Megacy took to social media to celebrate and rally behind AKA. The Megacy has vowed to vote for AKA and ensure that he scoops all the awards. Check out some of the reactions from social media; @ZaneshMaraj; I pray he takes them all home ❤❤🙌🙌 …We love and miss u Kiernan 😔😔 @Maysadidit; Megacy, lets make him win them all. @Brianworldwide2; Lets make him proud for the last time💪let’s vote for AKA @nadianakafans; Megacy attack! We are bringing this home
Celebrities57 mins ago

AKA Bags Six Metro Awards Nominations From The Grave

The late South African rapper AKA has posthumously bagged 6 award nominations at  Metro FM Music Awards. AKA, real name, ...

List Of Celebrity Women Pete Davidson Has Dated In 10 Years List Of Celebrity Women Pete Davidson Has Dated In 10 Years
Celebrities1 hour ago

List Of Celebrity Women Pete Davidson Has Dated In 10 Years

Pete Davidson isn’t one to kiss and tell. But when he started dating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and...

Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile
Entertainment2 days ago

Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile

Mai Denzel is the talk of the town after making an appearance on the highly popular Star FM talk show On...

Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump
Celebrities3 days ago

Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump

Kelly Khumalo‘s maternity fashion is a topic of discussion on social media. The singer trended when a tweep claimed world-renowned...

Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati? Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati?
Celebrities3 days ago

Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati?

Uncle Waffles reacts to claims of joining the Illuminati after announcing her second project titled, Asylum. “1 year ago, I...

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release
Celebrities4 days ago

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats

Inkabi Zezwe released their much-anticipated single ‘Umbayimbayi’ on Friday 24 March and as expected, the track topped streaming charts including...

Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities
Celebrities4 days ago

Another Breakthough In AKA Murder Suspects

Police in South Africa have made another major breakthrough in the case involving the murder of the county’s Hip hop...

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa.
Celebrities4 days ago

Zimbabwean Scandal! Actor Arrested In SA For Bashing Wife

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. Jerome, 38, who is known...

Advertisement

Trending