Help for Zim nationals wanting to go home

ZIMBABWE Exemption Permit holders who wish to return home will be assisted to do so.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria said it was ready to facilitate their return to that country.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said in September last year that the validity of the permits had been extended to June 30 this year.

The embassy and the consulate of Zimbabwe announced yesterday that they had adequately prepared for them to go back home by conducting a mapping exercise to identify and register them.

The mapping exercise, to be conducted this month and next month in all provinces, will allow those who wish to return home to access a platform to register online for their permit renewal, and there would be physical visits by multi-sectorial designations to areas across South Africa to facilitate this.

Zimbabwean ambassador David Hamadziripi emphasised that they were not forcing anyone to go back to Zimbabwe, but it was a voluntary decision for them to renew their permits.

He said: “What we are saying is that we are not in any way trying to instruct or direct individuals to take this decision. We are merely anticipating the fact that come end of June, some permit holders will not have been able to renew their visas or their permits and some have decided that they want to go back to Zimbabwe and they need assistance.”

He said if they needed assistance, the government of Zimbabwe would provide it.

He went on to say in some instances people migrated out of their own volition, and in other instances they migrated because of certain conditions.

“As far as those who are holding the permits in SA, if they are tired of those permits and decide to stay here or go elsewhere, it is their decision.

“The embassy is in discussion with the South African government to accommodate those who want to go back home but do not have enough finances to do so, and they are anticipating the possible return of some permit holders and do not wish to have a situation where individuals will be stranded when we reach the end of June and are unable to go home yet they wish to go home.”

He said even though Zimbabwe was struggling economically, they still had people living there, so anyone who wanted to be among those could do so, and they would be provided assistance to survive.

“Those who make the decision that they wish to return to Zimbabwe and need assistance, we will help them do so.

“We will assist them on arrival back home with transportation to take them back to their places of residence,” said Hamadziripi.