PASSOP calls for patience during final stages of the ZDP

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

PASSOP calls for patience during final stages of the “ZDP”

(Zimbabwean Dispensation Project)

PASSOP appeals to banks, employers, schools, health institutions and all stakeholders to be patient and respect the rights of Zimbabwean Permit Applicants.

There has been consistent denial of basic services and rights to thousands of Zimbabweans who are in the final stages of the adjudication process of their permits under the Zimbabwean Dispensation Project (ZDP).

We urge all stakeholders – including employers, banks, schools, hospitals, etc. – to note that Zimbabweans who possess a receipt of their application for a permit under the ZDP maintain their rights as legal immigrants. They have the right to work, study, or run businesses (depending on which permit they applied for) while their applications are still pending.  This emphasis is important, as it was required that applicants of these permits provided proof that they were employed, studying or running a business at the time of application.  Additionally they continue to have rights to emergency and basic healthcare, to access and utilise their bank accounts (keep them open), and to live and move freely within South Africa. Some of these rights are afforded to them by the Constitution, while others were allowed by the Department of Home Affairs in order to ensure that they would be protected during the adjudication period.  This sensible and reasonable move was welcomed by civil society.

We call on all relevant parties to exercise patience and leniency in these cases, while the DHA wraps up their issuing of the withstanding work, study and business permits as part of the ZDP by the end of July. We cannot be certain if they will meet this deadline, but things are looking promising.

We are also pleased to be able to reassure the public and all stakeholders that, thus far, the Department of Home Affairs has been extremely consistent and transparent in the process of adjudication. Our monitors have been at the Wynberg Department of Home Affairs office, where the Zimbabwean Dispensation Project is being implemented and they have reported that (true to their word), the Department of Home Affairs is efficiently processing applicants and there have been very few “errors”.
for comment please contact project coordinators Langton Miriyoga on:  084 026 9658  or   Caroline Theron on: 072 014 3540