PASSOP wants transparency

This comes after recent calls to legalise the deportations by the Department of Home Affairs.

"We are very surprised that the Department now wants to legalise the deportation of undocumented Zimbabweans whilst knowing that police officers are busy victimising undocumented Zimbabweans who are waiting for their permits. This needs strong attention by the department as we need transparency on it, so that those victimising people on the waiting list stop," he said.

Home Affairs recently told PASSOP to stop pretending to be the spokesperson of Zimbabweans living in South Africa.

"Zimbabweans nationals speak for themselves through the established Home Affairs-Zimbabwe Stakeholder Forum, a mechanism created to regulate interaction between the Department of Home Affairs and representatives of various Zimbabwean organisations including the Zimbabwean Embassy and Consulate based in South Africa," read the statement.

However, the Department of Home Affairs says it remains dedicated to managing immigration securely and efficiently within the laws of the Republic.

"No country in the world will allow illegal immigration within its borders. This is international practice. This however does not detract from the need to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in line with our international obligations."

Those who did not take advantage of the regularisation project, including those who continue to undermine South Africa's immigration laws by entering the country illegally, cannot claim protection.