JOHANNESBURG – The ministry of Home Affairs has welcomed the withdrawal of a motion to challenge its decision not to renew Zimbabwe’s exemptions.
The ministry came under fire last year after announcing it would not renew the permits of nearly 200,000 Zimbabwean nationals who fled the neighboring country more than a decade ago.
The African Amity NPC and the Zimbabwe Permit Holders Association campaigned against the South African government to stop the decision. Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi attacked the foundation, accusing it of interfering in state affairs.
Spokesperson of the ministry Siya Qoza confirmed on Friday that the motion had been withdrawn.
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Zimbabwean nationals benefiting from the exemption will have to reapply for residency in South Africa before the end of the year or face deportation.
This is the directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The decision has not gone unimplemented and although the African Amity NPC and the Zimbabwean Association of Permit Holders are no longer pursuing their attempt to stop the movement, the government is now facing legal action from South African NGOs, including the Helen Suzman Foundation.
