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ZEF welcomes Home Affairs consultations with civil society on Zimbabwe Documentation Project (ZDP)
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF)
September 17, 2010

The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) and other civil society formations with an interest on Zimbabwean immigrants held a second consultative meeting with the Home Affairs Department today. The meeting was a follow up to the 6th of September Home Affairs engagement forum with civil society to ensure that there is clarity on the Zimbabwe Documentation Project (ZDP). Today's forum was addressed by the Deputy Director General of Immigration, Mr Jackie Mackay, who emphasized the need for trust and collaboration between government and civil society. Also in attendance to more light on the ZDP was Mr Modiri Matthews, the Chief Director of Inspectorate and Ms Jane Razwiedani, the Director of International Relations and also Stakeholder Management in the Home Affairs Department.

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum applauds the Home Affairs Department for its willingness to clarify the Zimbabwe Documentation Project as well as its commitment to work with stakeholders on the need to document Zimbabweans in SA. ZEF also appreciates Home Affairs' acknowledgement of the fact that the Department and civil society organizations need to work together to make this project a success. That notwithstanding, ZEF notes the challenges that confront the project, especially the dearth of information for intended beneficiaries as well as employers, banks and other stakeholders.

ZEF therefore commits itself through partnership with the SA government and other civil society formations to ensure that the hurdles that face the ZDP are circumvented. The organisation will also work with partners to disseminate information and to render logistical support. Having been assured of the good will of the South African government in this process, ZEF would also want to take this opportunity to urge Zimbabweans to take advantage of the project, moreso since civil society organizations have already endorsed the process in principle.

Speaking after the consultation today, ZEF Executive Director and human rights lawyer Mr Gabriel Shumba had this to say today: "We are now convinced that the Department of Home Affairs is acting bona fide and that there is no sinister motive in this process. We have also been guaranteed that those who hold fraudulently obtained South African Documents and permits should not hesitate to approach civil society organizations and the Department as an amnesty is in place to ensure that they will not be prosecuted if they want to regularize and legalize their stay in SA. We urge the Zimbabwean government to ensure that they assist South Africa in making our stay in this county more dignified by making the passport application process more accessible to many."

In today's meeting, Home Affairs also explained that the ZDP does not mean that those who wish to apply for asylum should not do so when they feel that they have a genuine case of political persecution in Zimbabwe. However, those who wish to migrate from the asylum seeker permit regime should feel free to do so.

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