ZEP verdict could unleash terror wave for Zimbabwe...

ZEP verdict could unleash terror wave for Zimbabweans in SA

Zim Now Writer

The Pretoria High Court’s judgment that the decision by South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, was unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid seems to have triggered intense xenophobic feelings in South Africans on social media.

tumishi seems said: “The High Court is biased, how can they rule against the minister who is determined to do his job, undocumented foreigners must be arrested and be deported to their countries to avoid chaos and criminals who can’t be tracked in our country!

“It’s high time these judges are STOPPED, how can judges issue a judgement to keep illegal criminals in our country? In Zimbabwe, this can’t be allowed even though it’s a Banana republic.”

Mageba Zulu @Mzwa_Mageba said: “It’s time that SA build refugees camps far to accommodate the illegal immigrants. There’s no war going on in Zimbabwe! Helen Suzman foundation is serving to oppress us as South Africans!”

More ominous sentiments were expressed rooting for aggressive hostile treatment of undocumented Zimbabweans.

v1nc3 @v1nc3i said: “…. they haven’t been shows what our Saps can do with mass deportations assisted by the SANDF. Please get them Out. Make SA great again.”

Others pointed out that while ZEP holders are now protected by the law, the illegal immigrants who are estimated to be between half a million and four million must be weeded out by any means, fair or foul:

@Mdavovo2 said: “@daddyhope stop lying & misleading your fellow parasites, The Pretoria court judgement it only favours & protects 180 000 #ZEP holders, not #illegalparasites especially from zimboland & certainly not every tom, dick & harry from zimbabwe”

#FirstTakeSA @FirstTakeSA asked: “Why are Zimbabweans more vocal about their rights in SA, than in their own country?”

Others warned Zimbabweans against taking the ruling as a victory saying that they should view it as a grace period to relocate voluntarily.

mgcina 🇿🇦 @Dindela_SA said: “After listening to Nicole Fritz of Helen Suzman foundation on Radio SAfm this afternoon, i don't consider today's judgement as a victory for ZEP holders. For me it is a temporary relief until June 2024.”

Rise @South Elections said: “The judgment only gives you a year to sort yourselves out. It never said Zep should remain indefinitely. What you need to know is that your selfishness messed it up for other Africans. South Africa is going to think twice before dishing out specials permits in future.”

There have been some voices acknowledging the value of Zimbabweans to the SA economy.

ThinkTank@ThinkTa54628295 said: “This is a good decision for South Africa. ZEP holders are less than 100 000 in SA and they are contributing to the growth of SA economy. There should be no reckless decision to chase these people away. At least a transitional document of 4 yrs must be given to them.”

But such voices are few and drowned out by the rabid pro-Dudula social media users.

A Zimbabwean refrigeration mechanic who currently lives and works in South Africa said the writing remains on the wall for Zimbabweans to head home, ZEP holder or illegal immigrant.

“South Africans do not seem to have respect for court rulings if what has happened in the past is anything to go by. Zimbabweans must sort out their own mess and return home. Anything can happen any day.

“In South Africa, it is those who own companies and the policy makers who understand the reality that it is mostly Zimbabwean labour that is driving the country’s agriculture, mining and manufacturing among other sectors, because they work hard. Companies do not like employing South Africans because the majority of them are lazy and absent themselves from work too often,” he told Zim Now.

Grace Mhlolo, AKA Mai Darlene, who moved with her mother way back before getting married in South Africa and now has a child who was born in that country, says she is just hoping for the best.

“In terms of the law, we can say we are free now. You can move around freely without the fear of deportation or being arrested but in terms of Dudula, the fear is still there because those people are vigilantes so you never know when they are going to camp up and start their own rallies. And to some extent also the law leaves them to do all those other things because some of the people believe this thing is being funded by some people who support them. It could be an organised political movement, private organisation or such body that could be bankrolling Dudula. The people who in there in Dudula are real people of this country.”

Mhlolo says while the situation in the host country is deteriorating on all fronts, many Zimbabwean living in South Africa will have a tough time finding their feet in Zimbabwe if forced to leave.