Zimbabweans in South Africa must comply with the l...

Zimbabweans in South Africa must comply with the laws of that country, the government has said

The government of Zimbabwe is encouraging Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders to comply with the South African laws in a statement released by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa through a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday.

Minister Mutsvangwa said there are indications that the majority of Zimbabweans are not moving to regularise their stay in South Africa after their Zimbabwe Exemption Permit expire.

"The South African government expressed concern that less than 10% of ZEP holders had applied for the available mainstream visas," she said.

There about 180 000 Zimbabweans with ZEPs which means less than 20 00 have applied for regular permits.

The South African government announced earlier this year that ZEPs, which were originally open ended, would expire on 31 December, then extended deadline to 30 June 2023.

Mutsvangwa said intra-government consultation on ZEPs is ongoing with the latest one having been held at the mid-term review meeting of the Zimbabwe-South Africa bi-national commission in Pretoria on 10 August 2022.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the government "is working on mechanisms to facilitate the smooth flow of the returnees at the Beitbridge border post."

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Fredrick Shava, who tabled the matter, said his ministry is ready for the returnees.