Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Community in South Africa has met Visa Facilitation Centre Global senior officials to address concerns regarding the renewal of permits by Zimbabweans under the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP), as 30 000 applications remain uncollected.
Over 90 000 applications had been made.
This comes as concerns have been raised over how the company was handling applications.
Last year, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Leon Schreiber, in November extended the validity of the ZEP for an additional period of 12 Months until November 28, 2025.
This time frame is to allow the Zimbabweans who got ZEP to apply for the new VISA Regime to legally work in that country.
Chairperson of the ZimCommunitySA, Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena, confirmed the development.
“One of the main issues discussed was the problem of outcomes being marked as ‘collected’ even when applicants had not received them.
VFS explained that outcome files are sent to the email address used during the application and are only kept on their system for 60 days. Applicants are advised to always follow up with their agents or internet cafés who assisted them,” he said.
“So far, 62 000 waivers have been issued, but only around 19 000 have been downloaded. It is estimated that around 30 000 applicants have still not collected their outcomes. VFS will work on a three-option solution to address this and will advise in the coming weeks.”
Mr Mabhena also raised concerns about payments made through banks not reflecting in the VFS.
He said they proposed to encourage all applicants to use online payment methods going forward, as some problems come from overpayments or incorrect reference numbers.
“ZimCommunitySA will issue an online form to collect all unresolved issues in one place. Applicants are also encouraged to call the VFS call centre directly on +27 (0) 12 425 3017 for queries.
Although Circular 7 provided a general waiver, many ZEP applicants are still being asked to submit waiver applications,” he said.
Mr Mabhena said they will raise the matter again with that country’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
He said around 10 000 waiver applications submitted in 2023 remain unresolved, while thousands of people have not applied.
“So far, only 5 000 people have applied for exemptions. DHA reports that a total of 90 000 people submitted applications overall, with 71 000 finalised and 20 000 applying for visas or other permits.
It is estimated that 80 000 eligible individuals have still not yet applied,” he said.
Mr Mabhena urged those still to apply for exemption permits to do so without delay.
He said the issue of study permits for children whose parents’ ZEP applications are still pending will also be raised with DHA, and VFS will provide a formal response.
“The requirement for Zimbabwean police clearance by ZEP applicants will be standardised across all VFS offices to ensure consistency in processing,” he added.–@themkhust
