The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Fredrick Shava, said that about 1.5 million Zimbabweans stay in South Africa either legally or illegally.
Addressing delegates during a courtesy call by Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson Elasto Mugwadi to his office on Thursday, Shava said Zimbabweans have been migrating to neighbouring countries in search of jobs among other push and pull factors.
Shava reiterated his earlier assertion that the government is ready to receive tens of thousands of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) holders whose special permits expire on 31 December 2022. He said:
Migration has become one of the main pillars of our people’s survival, especially in the contemporary era characterised by the massive international movement of people for a number of reasons including earning a living.
We have approximately 1.5 million Zimbabweans staying in South Africa legally and illegally.
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permits will expire at the end of this year. Its expiry is naturally causing much anxiety to holders of this permit.
The two governments are working closely on the implementation of the decision. We are, however, ready to receive our nationals back home.
Shava, however, criticised Zimbabweans who commit crimes in other countries saying every citizen is duty-bound to protect the image of the country. He said:
It is a must for each and every Zimbabwean to promote and protect the good image of Zimbabwe wherever they are.
We condemn any form of criminality on the part of Zimbabweans in any country they are hosted.
International, regional and national human rights institutions are critical in exploring robust strategies that countries in the region can employ to protect migrants.
More: NewsDay
If these foreigners are so concerned about the Zimbabweans all they have do is lift the sanctions. They will not because Zim will be the top country in Africa.
Once there is a change of Government sanctions will be lifted
Open borders for returning citizens to come with their belongs and ideas and let’s rebuild our nation from scratch
Our brothers and sister from other countries they must know that when you go to your neighbours house to visit you must now that there are rules that you must follow in that house.
Let’s have free and fair elections, then Zimbabwe will rise again, we are not running away from economical hardship but from the tyrant rule of the current government
The Zim govt says they have put programmes in place to help the deported zimboz, funny because the locals there are still suffering
YINDE LENDLELA
God then charged Moses to lead the Israelite s out of bondage and bring them to the promised land. He also told him too use his brother Aaron as his spoken man, because he can speak fluently
(exodus 4:14)
Moses and Aaron dutifully set out for Egypt where they requested an audience with Pharaoh
God will Answer
Ukumoshakala kobisi yikulunga kwamasi
The crises Shava is acknowledging as the migration causative factor were created by ZanuPF…. period!
But why is it like Zimbabwean are the only foreigners in this world????
They are the majority
As long ANC and Botswana continues to support zanu Pf, both countries will be flooded with Zimbabweans SADC has failed to intervene on this corrupt government.
As long ANC and Botswana continues to support zanu Pf, both countries will be flooded with Zimbabweans SADC has failed to intervene on this corrupt government. Zanu Pf doesn’t allow it’s citizens to speak their mind nor protest against corruption that’s why they runaway seeking for help our there..
We want to start afresh abahambe nonke labantu Zim, Lesotho, Nigerians namasomalia bayaganga futhi nenjalo
In in lyfe when u need to start a family u must get a different blood wat I m saying z u can’t marry your sister u need someone from a different family to start a family TO DEVELOP U NEED FOREIGNERS TO THAT LETS FACE FACTS
Why Zimbabweans only