Zimbabwean exiles to receive six month SA permits
By Alex Bell
03 April 2009

South African authorities have announced that Zimbabwean exiles living in the country can apply for permits, which will allow them to stay in the country legally for six months.

The six month permit will give thousands of illegal Zimbabwean refugees in the country the right to work, healthcare and education, and most importantly, will protect them from being deported back to Zimbabwe.

The decision follows months of inaction by South African authorities, who have flip-flopped on their policies towards refugees from their neighbouring country. The flood of exiles entering South Africa has increased significantly in the past year, mirroring Zimbabwe’s total collapse, and the sick, hungry and desperate have kept pouring in across the border. But the slow and confusing process of applying for asylum permits in South Africa has seen thousands of desperate Zimbabwean exiles facing deportation back to the country that many risked death to flee, all because of incorrect paperwork.

The decision to grant the six month permits will therefore come as a relief to Zimbabwean exiles. Human rights lawyer from the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum in South Africa, Anna Moyo explained to SW Radio Africa on Friday that the decision is a ‘breakthrough’ that will give exiles a longer period of certainty and safety in South Africa.

An official from the Department of Home Affairs meanwhile has said the permit will reduce the numbers claiming political asylum, arguing that most Zimbabweans are only entering South Africa as economic migrants. The official said the permit will allow Zimbabweans enough time to make money in South Africa before returning home, saying “this special dispensation will result in foreign currency going into Zimbabwe and assist in building up that country.”

But Moyo explained that the period is not long enough, and argued that authorities have not explained what will happen after a six month period. She continued that the Forum’s main concern is that the education of thousands will be interrupted, “which violates the right to education that anyone living in South Africa has.” She explained that priority needs to be given in some way to the education of Zimbabwean youth in South Africa “to help rebuild their country in the future.”