The Department of Home Affairs said about 30,000 prospective permit holders failed to get the documents they applied for in 2010, meaning they cannot apply for the Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP), exclusively meant for DZP holders.
However, following last week’s meeting with Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa revealed this week that a plan had been worked out to assist those that applied but missed out in the first phase.
“There are three categories of people whose situations we are dealing with. We have those whose permits could not be found, those who have reference numbers but no permits and those who only have confirmation letters of application,” said Ngqabutho Mabhena, leader of the Zimbabwean Community in SA.
“We were given a task to reach out to such people and draw a data-base for them, which will be submitted at two-week intervals beginning immediately. The first list will be submitted to the DHA on October 30.
“The applicants will be put through a screening process to prove that they did apply in the first process, after which they will be given permit references that will enable them to apply online under the current process.”
Mabhena, who was a key figure in negotiating for the first permits, called on Zimbabweans falling under the three categories to take advantage of the new window to make good their chances of getting the documents this time round.
“Those who stay out of this programme will miss out, so people must come forward and submit their details while it is still early. There are a number of organisations that are involved in the same process and people should involve themselves in such initiatives because this is a complicated issue that no single individual or organisation can do alone.”
One of the organizations involved in creating the database is the Johannesburg-based Migrant Workers’ Association of Southern Africa.
“We are also assisting those people who applied for the permit renewals on their own, but forgot or missed writing down their ZSP reference numbers, meaning they cannot call VFS for appointments,”
said Mwasa coordinator, Ezra Maplanka.
“On top of helping people apply, we also help people book appointments after their applications, as the process takes time and can hardly be done from a mobile phone, where it is very costly.”
Those willing to approach Mwa-sa for such assistance can visit their office at: Budget House (Boston), Office 301, 3rd Floor; No 130 Main Street, Johannesburg opposite Carlton Centre. Telephone: 011 074 8022 or 063 073 1370 / 083 348 5539 or email: info.mwasa.org or permits.mwasa@gmail.com.
Post published in: News