/ 27 December 2010

Four days left for Zim immigrants to register

Illegal Zimbabweans living in South Africa have four days left to register for legal documents, the Home Affairs Department said on Monday.

“The final bells for the registration of illegal Zimbabweans living in South Africa are tolling with only four days left before the deadline of 31 December 2010 as set out by Cabinet,” Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement.

She warned that government would not extend the deadline.

“Accordingly, and even at this late hour, we take this opportunity to make the final appeal to those who have not applied for their regularisation or those with fraudulently acquired South African documents to apply or submit such documents now and not wait for the deadline.”

Dlamini-Zuma said senior managers in the department, including the director-general Mkuseli Apleni, deputy directors-general and acting deputy directors-general, would be deployed to various centres across the country to assist in the process.

To register those who have not yet applied, Home Affairs offices across the country will be open between 8am and 5pm in the days leading up to the deadline

“The government is aware of the challenges faced by the Zimbabwean authorities in issuing valid travel documents to those seeking to apply for their regularisation in South Africa.

“In this context, the South African government will accept receipts issued by the Zimbabwean authorities as proof of their applications for such travel documents.” — Sapa