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AS people the world-over welcomed the New Year, there was little to smile about for about 40 000 Zimbabweans resident in South Africa, who are facing imminent deportation because they did not make the mark on the provisions for permits required by South Africa’s Home Affairs authorities.
These unfortunate citizens are making strenuous efforts to ensure Pretoria rethinks its position and gives them another opportunity to make good on the hospitality so far extended to them and thousands others.
We have seen long-winded queues in both South Africa and Zimbabwe of desperate people waiting in the rain, waiting to be heard and to also get a reprieve.
Since immigration has become one of the most topical global issues, it is important that it is not handled emotively.
We did not ask questions when special criterion was given to Zimbabwean migrant workers in 2009.
They initially got special permits through the Zimbabwe Dispensation Programme (ZDP), which was introduced in May 2009.
The ZDP has now been succeeded by the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) programme where by the end of December 2014, about 40 000 had failed to get permits due to a number of reasons.
They are still struggling to get those permits and it is imperative that the Government of Zimbabwe and all progressive people around the world join hands with these people to fight for what we believe are the rights endowed to all migrants in the 21st century.
We will not raise questions if the South African authorities throw out criminal elements including fugitives from Zimbabwe’s justice system who have been given a home in South Africa because they have the means. But if these people did an honest job, they need to be heard.
Thus we strongly feel that from a humanitarian perspective and the historical ties between the two nations in the area of migration, there is need for more dialogue before doors are closed.
Notwithstanding that we still wonder why Zimbabwe had to be placed under some special migrant programmes, considering that Zimbabwean migrants, like others from the Sadc region, built the South African economy and made it what it is today.
If truth be told, when it comes to migration, South Africa is no different from the United States of America. It has become the melting pot of Africa. So why the demands on Zimbabweans?
Simply put, is the bigger picture in the matrix political, and if so, are the people who are working and contributing to the well-being of South Africa the real targets?
We hope that the intra-dialogue between Harare’s Home Affairs ministry and the South African ministry of Home Affairs continues and results in win-win solutions, not only at government levels, but also at government to people level.
The high-level talks between Minister Kembo Mohadi and his South African counterpart Malusi Gigaba should iron out some of the concerns raised by the applicants and some observers. The solution is not to deport people who have lived and worked in South Africa for years because by doing so, more problems will arise. As long as someone believes that there is something for them in SA, they will find the means to get back.
The two parties should also bear in mind that governments by nature are bureaucratic. The requirements and the time-frame was too short for thousands of people to beat the deadline.
The actions taken by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum should be commended and we hope that more organisations will come on board to find lasting solutions to the challenge.
Hundreds of Zimbabwean citizens escaped from the UK because some people and organisations stood out for them.
As the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum spokesperson Trust Ndlovu has said, “Deportation of these people won’t address challenges of illegal migrants in South Africa because most of them have established families . . . and deporting them will be tantamount to abuse of children’s rights among others.”
Let the voice of reason prevail.
Online Reporter