Scramble for special permits – bogus agents cash in on Zimbabweans

By Zoë Mahopo

SOUTH AFRICA – Confusion has set in as more than 200000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa begin applications for permits.

Organisations representing the Zimbabwean community in SA have since noted with concern that bogus agents are capitalising on people’s desperation and defrauding them of their hard-earned cash.

Applications for the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) opened online two weeks ago.

The permit, which was announced by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba earlier this year, gives Zimbabwean nationals the opportunity to work, study and conduct business in South Africa.

However, Siphathisiwe Dube of Solidarity Peace Trust (SPT) said they had received reports that people were being issued with false information and were required to pay a R870 permit fee into incorrect bank accounts.

“People must stop listening to bogus agents giving them wrong information. This is worrying because they will realise this when it is too late,” said Dube.

She said the SPT, together with other organisations, called an urgent meeting at the Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg last Saturday to warn the public against the bogus agents.

Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said that 80000 people had already gone through the online process .

Tshwete urged people to follow the information issued by the department, saying they would continue spreading awareness.

“Let us not create more confusion and anxiety than necessary. The information is out there and easily available.”

Dube said she recently stopped people from getting their fingerprints taken at a local police station because that is not part of the application procedure. According to new regulations, all applications must be conducted through the VFS Global website and centres which operate across the country as from November 1.

Earlier in the year, Gigaba announced that 120 Home Affairs staff would be tasked with overseeing the three-month-long process.

Gigaba said only 245000 Zimbabweans who qualified for the previous Dispensation for Zimbabweans Project (DZP) issued in 2010 would qualify for ZSP.

Zimbabwean Community in SA chairman Ngabutho Mabhena said the initial permit in 2010 presented a new lease on life for Zimbabweans who had fled their country’s economic and political turmoil.

“People were able to work and look after their families. During the food crisis, it was Zimbabweans living in South Africa who sent basic necessities.”

Mabhena said undocumented Zimbabweans would continue to outnumber those in the country legally, saying a regional approach to economic development would decrease this.

“We believe South Africa has done its part. It would be unfair for us to expect South Africa to solve all our problems,” Mabhena said. Sowetan