Home Affairs director-general (DG) Mkuseli Apleni announced a new call centre to deal with enquiries related to the regularisation of Zimbabwean nationals in SA.
“The Department of Home Affairs has established a call centre for those with enquiries regarding the end of the special dispensation for Zimbabwean nationals. Those requiring clarification of the process of regularising their stay in SA are also invited to use the call centre.”
Zimbabwean nationals are urged by the department to call the centre on 0800 864 488 or 0800 601 190. Calls to both numbers are free, adds Apleni.
Department spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says the call centre is operational seven days a week, from 8am to 4pm. He adds that it will be operational until the end of December.
Apleni reminded Zimbabwean nationals that the special dispensation for their stay in the country will end on 31 December 2010.
“Those in possession of illegal South African documentation are also urged to return these to Home Affairs officials at any of the 46 regional offices throughout the country, without fear of prosecution.”
The department deployed additional staff members to each of the 46 regional offices in all provinces to ensure Zimbabwean nationals are assisted in regularising their stay in SA.
“However, those applying for the appropriate South African documentation - work, study or business permits - will be required to have their Zimbabwean passports in order. In this regard, the Zimbabwean authorities in Harare and its representatives in SA have assured us they will assist all nationals to speedily acquire the relevant Zimbabwean documents to facilitate the granting of South African documents,” adds Apleni.
He also says that South African employers and educational institutions who have Zimbabwean nationals as their employees or students are expected to provide the department with affidavits to prove the employment or status as students so that the department can issue work and/or study permits.
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