adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE Department of Immigration has advised promoters to get foreign artistes police clearances from their respective countries in order for them to be awarded temporary work permits in Zimbabwe.Previously, the Immigration Department, through International Police (Interpol), used to process the police clearance for promoters but they can no longer do so as they are overwhelmed.
“We used to do the police clearances for the promoters but because we are inundated with applications, we have kindly asked the promoters to tell the artistes whom they want to bring, to seek police clearance from their countries so that we can process their temporary work permits,” said Francis Mabika, assistant regional immigration officer in charge of compliance.
Mabika also urged promoters to submit their applications on time as some submit at the 11th hour.
“Promoters sometimes come with their applications late, some a day before while others come when the artistes are at the airport.
“We urge them to bring in their applications on time because within a week we would have finished with processing,” he said.
Mabika said the requirement was common practice in many nations and Zimbabwe was not an exception.
“In other countries this is the norm. Even when someone wants to go to South Africa to work, they need police clearance from their home country. When promoters bring in the police clearance, we will check it through Interpol to verify if it’s genuine or not,” he said.
For an international artiste to perform in the country, they need clearance from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Censorship Board. The promoters also need to be registered with the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) communications and marketing officer Cathrine Mthombeni advised promoters to do security checks on their foreign artistes and request them to submit their police clearance.
She said the police clearance was required at the time of application for a temporary work permit.
“The artistes need to acquire a police clearance from their country of origin which should then be received by the promoter by the time of lodging the application for a temporary work permit,” Mthombeni said.
Last year, South African kwaito artiste Brickz was denied entry into Zimbabwe after his documents were not in order according to media reports.
This year another South African act Freshly Ground was denied entry as they did not have valid work permits.
Online Reporter