Zimbabweans stranded after changes to South African immigration rules
December 21 2009 by Liam Clifford
Zimbabweans denied South African visas following confusion over changes.
A large number of Zimbabweans who were planning to travel to
South Africa have been denied the emergency travel documents (ETDs) that allow
them to do so.
South African immigration authorities have decided to
change the duration of the ETDs from 21 days to six months but made the
alterations in long-hand writing. The ETDs are now being refused as a means to
enter South Africa unless the alteration is printed on the cards.
The
issue is to be address as a matter of urgency, according to Kembo Mohani, the
Co- Minister of Home Affairs, who said, “we are really worried about this issue
in which our people are being denied entry into South Africa yet they have
genuine and authentic travel documents.”
“In fact, we noted that the
problem is mainly at the footnote of our ETDs where the validity of the
documents was changed from 21 days to six months in line with new visa-free
arrangement wherein Zimbabweans are now given a three months visitor’s permit,
which also allows them to stay in South Africa for that period,” he
continued.
The minister said that he hopes the problem with South African visas will be dealt with
soon. He explained, “I have since instructed the Permanent Secretary to raise
the issue with our South African counterparts so that we regularise the travel
of our people between the two countries.”
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