Director General of Home Affairs, Mkuseli Apleni, mandated by Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, yesterday, Wednesday, 12 January 2011 met with the Zimbabwean Stakeholder Forum during which discussions were held on the way forward for the documentation of illegal Zimbabwean nationals.
Amongst others, the Director-General briefed the Zimbabwean stakeholders that Minister Dlamini Zuma had directed that the process to document Zimbabweans who had heeded government’s call to submit applications by 31 December 2010, should be concluded by 30 June 2011.
In addition, the Director-General expressed the appreciation of the government to the stakeholders for their support of the process, as well as all Zimbabweans who took advantage of this opportunity to regularise their stay in South Africa.
With a view to ensuring the department meets the deadline of 30 June 2011 to conclude this process, a comprehensive plan has been finalised. This includes fast tracking the dispatch and adjudication of all outstanding applications, the fingerprinting of applicants, sustained engagement with the Zimbabwean government to fast track the issuance of passports to approved applicants and stakeholder engagements with other interested parties.
To date a total of 275 762 applications have been received, 44 824 approved and 10 106 are under review. A total of 220 832 are presently under adjudication.
In terms of our plan of action, the final batch of permits will reach our front offices on 29 June 2011 and will be available for collection from 30 June 2011. Applicants have until 31 July 2011 to collect these permits from our 42 offices around the country.
From August 2011 onwards, Zimbabweans who are not in possession of the necessary documentation that regularises their stay in country will be subject to our normal immigration laws. During the application process, the Department created an enabling environment to assist Zimbabweans to meet the 31 December 2010 deadline for the submission of their applications.
From next week, we will be initiating a sustained engagement with the Zimbabwean government to expedite the issuance of passports.As part of this process, the Director-General will be meeting with the Zimbabwean Ambassador and Consul-General early next week.This will be followed by a meeting between Minister Dlamini Zuma and her Zimbabwean counterparts.
To further assist the Zimbabwean government with the issuance of passports, we are providing the Embassy, on a daily basis, with lists of applicants who require passports to regularise their stay in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
