By Mlungisi Kunene.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Zimbabweans living in South Africa are keeping their fingers crossed as the South African government decides on the fate of about 200 000 Zimbabweans who are holders of special resident permits.
South Africa introduced the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) programme in 2015 and the permits are set to expire in December 2017. The country’s Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba has hinted that at the appropriate time, he would announce South Africa’s position on the special permits.
The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena said they were hoping for the best from the South African government adding that the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe was not yet ripe for Zimbabweans in South Africa to return home.
“We are praying that people (Zimbabweans) will not be told to return home. We do not believe the economic conditions are favorable for Zimbabweans to return home. The political environment has not changed either,” said Mabhena.
He added that the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa had fears of political upheavals in Zimbabwe especially as the country braces for the 2018 polls.
“We are worried that as we get to elections, violence might be the order of the day especially if opposition parties form a coalition against Zanu (PF). It is common cause that the fascist regime in Zimbabwe will employ intimidation tactics to try to cling on to power as they know very well that a coalition will end their rule,” said Mabhena.
About 200 opposition supporters in Zimbabwe died as a result of the political violence that was largely instigated by Zanu (PF) activists as they sought to safeguard President Robert Mugabe’s stay in power.
Fears are widespread that the same situation could repeat itself in the upcoming 2018 polls.
Mabhena highlighted the desperation among Zimbabweans when he said, “The special permits are set to expire on 31 December and this will affect about 200 000 Zimbabweans who are holders of these permits. What we seek is anything that will allow the holders of the special permits to remain in South Africa.”
About 3 million Zimbabweans are estimated to be living in South Africa.
Last year, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo appealed to the South African government to extend the special resident permits for Zimbabwe beyond December 2017. His appeal came after he revealed that the South African government had indicated in previous engagements that they will not renew special permits for Zimbabweans after December 2017.
Comments
About Author
