Zimbabwe Special Permit Update: 41 000 permits approved after 1 Oct start date

The Department of Home Affairs has approved about 41 000 permits for Zimbabwean immigrants, says a report in The Times. About 242 000 Zimbabweans still in possession of the expired permits – called the dispensation of Zimbabweans project – are eligible for new permits. The new special dispensation permit, which is valid for three years, is for Zimbabweans working, studying or operating businesses in SA. VSF Global, the company mandated by the government to process the permits, said 41 446 permit renewals by Zimbabweans had been approved and were ready for collection. Home Affairs DG Mkuseni Apleni said Zimbabweans who did not qualify for permits in 2010 were in the country illegally and could be deported. The report says it is estimated that there are almost two million Zimbabweans living in SA.