Organisation helps Zim nationals in SA

THE Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, an organisation representing the interests and rights of Zimbabweans in the neighbouring country says it is working with VFS Global Management to iron out challenges faced by Zimbabwe Exemption Permits holders in renewing their permits.

Visa Facilitation Services Global works in partnership with South Africa’s department of Home Affairs in processing ZEPs.

The ZEPs were first issued by the South African government in 2009 and the expiry dates have been moved several times.

About 178 000 Zimbabweans applied for the ZEP giving them the right to work in that country legally.

The permits were supposed to expire at the end of this month but were pushed forward to the end of this year.

After a decision was taken not to renew the ZEP to ensure that Zimbabweans apply for already existing permits in that country, many have faced challenges migrating to the new visa regime.

This has resulted in some giving up on the process altogether while others are banking on the court challenges filed to have their stay legalised through the courts.

Last Friday, the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa leadership met with VFS Global management to iron out the challenges.

“We had a meeting with the senior management of VFS Global at their Rivonia offices in Johannesburg on Friday. Among the issues raised as per the Zimbabwean Community ZEP holders were; website usability issues, lack of booking slots, unfair turn-backs due to “Incorrect” format of letter of motivation, payments not reflecting issues, allegations of corruption and capacity issues. We had a very fruitful meeting and the officials promised to look into all the issues we raised and also will do a press release this coming week,” said the organisation chairperson Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena in a media statement.

He said the VFS Global management promised to look at opening a dedicated facility for ZEPs holders to minimise some of the challenges they face.

Mr Mabhena urged those who qualify for the process to speed up their applications so that at the expiry of the allocated time their papers are in order.

“They actually had a dedicated facility for six months but had to close it down because of the low turnout of applicants. We would therefore like to call on all ZEP holders who have not applied for waivers and permits to continue to apply so that all holders can be able to migrate to mainstream visas,” he said.

Mr Mabhena said permit holders must not wait for the court case outcome on the visa issue.

“We understand some applicants are waiting for the outcome of the court case by Zimbabwe Immigration Federation, ZEP Holders Association (ZEPHA) and the Helen Suzman Foundation. We implore ZEP holders to use the waiver channel and we want to remind ZEP holders that there is very little time left since they must have fully migrated to mainstream permits by 31 December 2023,” he said.

— @themkhust