FIFI PETERS: Zimbabwe nationals residing, working and serving in South Africa underneath the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), have been lately given extra time to take action [legally], following a choice by the Home Affairs minister [Aaron Motsoaledi] to increase the termination of the scheme till June 30 subsequent 12 months.
But we all know that the minister’s choice in and of itself to wish to terminate the ZEP on quite a few claims is at the moment being challenged in court docket. For extra on the story and what occurs within the meantime whereas the ZEP is being prolonged, I’m joined by Moeketsi Seboko, immigration supervisor at Xpatweb.
Moeketsi, thanks a lot on your time. Just what do you make of the story and the place issues at the moment stand?
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MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Good night Fifi, and good night to the listeners. Well, this may be seen as optimistic information and a gesture from the division – particularly if you’re a Zimbabwean on a ZEP – to will let you prolong your utility and to will let you apply for a allow that you just would possibly qualify for to remain within the nation for an extended interval whereas we await this to play [out] in court docket.
FIFI PETERS: What are the explanations said for difficult this in court docket? I see that one of many the explanation why the minister, the Home Affairs division, desires to terminate the scheme is as a result of it claims that it’s fairly pricey to manage. I’d like your tackle these causes, and whether or not you suppose a few of them are justified.
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MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Well, I wouldn’t know if it’s justified, and I wouldn’t know for certain if that’s based mostly on sound analysis information – however that’s what Home Affairs alleges and that’s what we’ve got to go along with. I feel what is usually behind the explanation to discontinue the ZEP is the unemployment price that SA finds itself in, and the general public notion that the Zimbabweans are taking employment away from South Africans. Maybe this is among the many ways in which the federal government is attempting to point out that they are going to wish to prioritise South Africans over international nationals – [it] may be after all open to dialogue whether or not that is the correct option to do it or not.
FIFI PETERS: A counter argument I learn is that a few of the ZEP holders – round 178 000 or so – solely make up 0.3% of South Africa’s inhabitants, and due to this fact how can they be accused of taking South African jobs? What do you consider that counter-argument?
MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Funnily sufficient, I’ve simply been despatched the latest information on the variety of Zimbabweans within the nation, and there are about 700 000 Zimbabweans in South Africa. Of these, there are about 178 000 who’re on that ZEP.
Now, for those who examine it, it’s apparent that there are extra Zimbabweans who’re illegally within the nation than those that are authorized and making significant contributions to the economic system.
I feel, then, our focus in attempting to resolve our unemployment subject is in the direction of the wrongly focused inhabitants of Zimbabwe.
FIFI PETERS: I hear you. So are you representing any purchasers within the area which are being impacted by this choice?
MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Yes. We are additionally in partnership with Standard Bank, during which then they refer most of their purchasers who’re on ZEPs to us to help with functions to increase their present visas. We do get purchasers who come from different sources as effectively.
This is the area that we function in, and we do help Zimbabweans on this regard, and we wish to invite any Zimbabweans who wish to prolong their present visa to get in contact with us, after which we’ll see how we are able to finest help.
FIFI PETERS: In the occasion that the ZEP scheme finally does come to an in depth, as in subsequent 12 months, [and] we don’t get one other extension, you probably did say that what may occur is ZEP holders could be allowed to use for a piece visa or one other visa right here in South Africa. What is the probability that they’d be granted that visa?
MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Fifi, I feel I might want to say this primary. The Department of Home Affairs is adamant in discontinuing this dispensation. It’s provided that the court docket decides or directs in any other case [that it won’t]. But Home Affairs is adamant. This is the final time the ZEP concession is being issued. There won’t be any additional past June 30 subsequent 12 months.
Unfortunately for Zimbabweans, the minister has additionally prolonged an invite to them to use to increase their ZEPs. This is the one choice that they’ve in the event that they wish to keep legally and legitimately in SA, in any other case they must return residence. So if an individual desires to stay and keep within the nation legally, allow them to apply. We don’t know what the result shall be; it relies on the benefit of the appliance. At least you’ll’ve proven that you just meant legalising your standing within the nation. But the choice lies with Home Affairs finally.
But I might encourage ZEP holders to reap the benefits of this chance and apply to increase their present visas, or apply for visas which are consistent with the Immigration Act.
FIFI PETERS: But if the place, as you defined, is the notion that Zimbabwe nationals are taking South African jobs, or even perhaps contributing to the unemployment disaster right here by there being such a big inhabitants of them on this nation, then does that not sign or point out that the possibilities of all ZEP holders truly getting a piece visa or some type of everlasting residency is low?
MOEKETSI SEBOKO: Not essentially. I might say that the issue just isn’t the Zimbabweans who’re legally within the nation. The downside is the Zimbabweans who’re unaccounted for and who’re illegally within the nation. That’s the place the issue is, as a result of these should not regulated.
There are 178 000 Zimbabweans [on ZEPs]. Compare that to the variety of unemployed South Africans, and inform me how that may impression or will even swing to the good thing about South Africans being employed.
It doesn’t make sense that you’ll want to goal people who find themselves authorized and go away those that are unlawful to nonetheless keep within the nation and proceed to take employment from South Africans, if that’s what they’re doing anyway.
FIFI PETERS: Yes, I agree with you. But I suppose we’ll need to observe that story intently, significantly the authorized motion across the story and the way that performs out. Moeketsi, thanks a lot on your time this night. Moeketsi Seboko is immigration supervisor at Xpatweb.