Pretoria, South Africa – (African Boulevard News) – Good news for Zimbabwean nationals working in South Africa, as the government has extended their legal stay. Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans residing and working in South Africa were earlier facing deportation after their work permits were set to expire by the end of June. However, the South African authorities have granted them a temporary reprieve from their immigration woes.
The South African government’s decision reportedly came after Zimbabwe’s government requested an extension for its citizens in the country. The temporary South African residency permits have now been extended by up to four years. This decision has brought a tremendous sense of relief to Zimbabwean nationals in the country and their families.
The extension covers Zimbabweans who have valid visas and permits that have expired during the pandemic lockdown since May 2020 and those who were in the country illegally. It also applies to holders of the Zimbabwean Special Permit, which was introduced in 2014 to regularize the stay of thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa.
The South African government’s decision has been widely welcomed, with many Zimbabweans expressing their gratitude for the extension. One Zimbabwean national, Thembeka Zulu, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This extension has brought hope for a better future, not only for us but also for our children. Many of us had resigned ourselves to the fact that we would have to go back home. Now we can relax a bit.”
This is not the first time that South Africa has extended its immigration policy to cater to the needs of Zimbabwean nationals. In 2017, the government also granted a four-year extension to Zimbabweans holding a special permit in the country.
The decision is also expected to have significant implications for the South African economy, as many of these Zimbabweans work in key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and construction. This extension will enable them to continue working, which will help strengthen their contribution to the country’s economic growth.
In conclusion, the extension of legal stay for thousands of Zimbabweans will come as a tremendous relief to many families. It will enable them to remain in South Africa without fear of being deported and continue contributing to the country’s economic growth in various sectors. The decision by the South African government to grant the extension has been widely welcomed and is seen as a positive step towards the government’s commitment to ensuring that all foreign nationals in the country are treated fairly and provided with the necessary support.
