Zimbabweans in S.Africa to re-apply for permits

Almost 250,000 Zimbabweans who obtained special permits to live in South Africa during their country’s political crisis will have to reapply when their visa amnesty expires this year, a government spokesman said.

South Africa in April 2009 introduced a policy of allowing Zimbabweans to enter the country without visas after disputed polls plunged the nation into economic and political turmoil.

The passes expire around December this year, according to South African home affairs department spokesman David Hlabane.

“Permit-holders will be expected to re-apply for permits,” he said in a statement, following a cabinet decision.

“It is not South Africa’s intention to reverse the benefits of the dispensation,” he added.

As many as 1.5 million Zimbabweans lived in their neighbouring country during the crisis, which saw veteran leader Robert Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai enter a power-sharing deal to return to peace.

Few are thought to have returned after elections last year gave Mugabe another term.