Zimbabwe's Crises Sparked "Massive" Emigration To SA - Shava
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Fredrick Shava, said that about 1.5 million Zimbabweans stay in South Africa either legally or illegally.
Addressing delegates during a courtesy call by Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson Elasto Mugwadi to his office on Thursday, Shava said Zimbabweans have been migrating to neighbouring countries in search of jobs among other push and pull factors.
Shava reiterated his earlier assertion that the government is ready to receive tens of thousands of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) holders whose special permits expire on 31 December 2022. He said:
Migration has become one of the main pillars of our people’s survival, especially in the contemporary era characterised by the massive international movement of people for a number of reasons including earning a living.
We have approximately 1.5 million Zimbabweans staying in South Africa legally and illegally.
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permits will expire at the end of this year. Its expiry is naturally causing much anxiety to holders of this permit.
The two governments are working closely on the implementation of the decision. We are, however, ready to receive our nationals back home.
Shava, however, criticised Zimbabweans who commit crimes in other countries saying every citizen is duty-bound to protect the image of the country. He said:
It is a must for each and every Zimbabwean to promote and protect the good image of Zimbabwe wherever they are.
We condemn any form of criminality on the part of Zimbabweans in any country they are hosted.
International, regional and national human rights institutions are critical in exploring robust strategies that countries in the region can employ to protect migrants.
More: NewsDay
