According to the latest population census, South Africa hosts more than 2.2 million foreigners, including political refugees, economic migrants and skilled expatriate workers.
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South Africa has announced that it will not extend the work permits granted to some 250,000 Zimbabweans working in the country. The latter, most of whom fled the political and economic crisis in their country, had obtained a four-year work permit in 2009. Their visas have since been constantly renewed, but the South African government announced that there would be no further extensions when they expire, paving the way for a potential mass expulsion of these workers.
“Cabinet decided not to extend Zimbabwean special waivers any longer”South African Minister Mondli Gungubele said during a press conference. However, Zimbabwean employees have one year to apply for alternative visas which could apply to particular individual situations.
“At the end of a 12-month period, those who fail to obtain a new visa will have to leave South Africa or be deported.”
Mondli Gungubele, South African Ministerto AFP
Zimbabweans throughout South Africa work in the hospitality, retail and service sectors, among others. Economic activities weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic for two years. And the latest variant detected in South Africa is not going to help matters.
South Africa and its most industrialized economy on the continent has always been a magnet for economic migrants seeking better employment prospects in the region. Nelson Mandela’s ANC has for a long time opened the country to political refugees and to the continent’s “African brothers”.
But Cyril Ramaphosa’s government is under pressure to create jobs for its citizens, as the rising unemployment rate exceeds 34%. The country has experienced several murderous xenophobic waves against workers from across southern Africa.
And South Africa has already tightened its work visa regulations in recent years.