Why does South Africa want to deport Zimbabwean residents? | DW News

Nearly 200,000 Zimbabweans were granted residency in South Africa in 2008. Now the South African government is trying to kick them out.
In a case that could decide their fate, human rights groups have asked the court to stop the government from doing so. But the clock is ticking, as residence permits will expire at the end of June.
DW’s Christine Mhundwa met a teacher in Johannesburg, who's hoping to remain in South Africa.

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#Zimbabwe #SouthAfrica #Deportation

[lungelwaswana]

I'm so shocked to learn that the Health department in Zimbabwe considers a crime, employing people from other countries yet they come in big numbers in South Africa, How come?

[janrabie]

Why can't Zimbabweans rise up against the corrupt Zanu PF government and change it?

[zuluuyasabeka]

This is very unfair & one sided reporting!! Why does the term “Xenophobia” only applies to South Africans.

[ryanmorgann]

Zimbabweans working in South Africa are hard working but the problem is i am surprised there are South African Human Rights groups fighting for the rights of Zimbabweans instead of the many South Africans who are not employed, how ironic.Its not fair that Emmerson has the liberty to not take care of his people and the burden is put on the South African people.The people govern so Zimbabwe's people should do something about that.

[barrywalsh]

It is not xenophobic for a country to enforce immigration laws.

[sergersgerhersh]

I really wish the Zimbabwean government would actually care about their own citizens. If they don't, how can they expect other countries to do so?

[njabulomhlophe]

Isn’t it interesting how in this whole interview there’s not a single mention of the Zimbabwean government ?

[siyabongagift]

how can a xenophobic country "feel like home", truth to be told, I would not live in a xenophobic country...

[ernie]

South Africa is a Country like any other country's therefore it has Laws and Regulations that need to be implimented and followed according, blackmailing wont help in this instance.

[scottwarwick]

We cannot be a social fallback for the entirety of Southern Africa for another 15 years. So many people coming here are unable to pay taxes, yet still make use of our public facilities.

It’s simply not sustainable. If you possess skills which are in crucial demand, and you comply with all immigration requirements, you are welcome to join SA and contribute. If not, unfortunately it is untenable for SA to maintain things as they stand.

[collinphahlane]

ANC government bended our rules to accommodate Zimbos who illegally entered South Africa, they offered them temporary permits for number of years. Permits have come to an end and have to apply for mainstream visas. South African are not working and priority is to South Africans.

[bvovz]

"far from his home in Zimbabwe" ??? It's literally, a drive away in the country right next door...

[zusibone]

Zimbabweans need to be realistic though. South Africa cannot afford to have such big numbers of immigrants because of economic issues. ZEP were temporary solution for Zimbabweans so that Zimbabwe is stabilized. That was not a path way to citizenship. South Africans are agitated because of this issue. End of June the country will be burning down.
You can't blackmail a country for being kind. It's just unfair.

[matomeboshego]

Your video is intended to push a narrative and view point that the SA government is xenophobic. ZEP is not permanent residency. They did not apply for permanent residency, they were not offered permanent residency. They are still able to apply for work permits if they wish to stay. They were given sufficient time to start relocating back home if they don't want to apply for work permits. SA has been so generous and kind, but its kindness is being thrown back in its face. There are lots of opportunities in Zim for Zimbabweans, allow South Africans an opportunity to take back South African job markets

[dr.kurhulanicolleen-jean]

DW are you guys not ashamed to report such lies😮? In your country you have strict immigration laws but when South Africa implements theirs you call it Xenophobia 😮😮😮

[collinphahlane]

Zimbabweans and other foreigners cannot work while South Africans are not working in their own country.

[thapelomolefe]

In 2009, SA Government granted Zimbabweans DZP following socio-economic and political situation in Zim and they were categorised as asylum seekers. The DZP were valid for 4 years (Renamed ZSP in 2014 and in 2017 respectively as ZEP) ....and went on to be renewed accordingly until SA Cabinet decided not to renew them in November 2021.Given the historical background of these permits, there is no where the host country commits to issuing permanent residence permits ifo ZEP holders and that is also not provided for in the laws of RSA. Zim Government (Number 1 Lithium rich country in Africa) is not actively involved in this because they do not want corrective voices. Why can't these guys take their own Government to court in order for it to create similar employment opportunities for them and force SA Government to support them. These guys have a compelling case against Zim Govt not SA Govt: Sometimes lawyers fail to win cases because they present good facts to argue wrong cases.

[duwaynem.]

I stay in South Africa.... trust me unless you are ignorant or privileged you will know that foreign nationals/illegal immigrants are a major problem in the country.

[plvdivn]

What I don't understand is that a Zimbabwean lawyer is representing Zimbabweans citizens in a South African court, why not doing that in the Zimbabwean court?

[kholekileswartz]

Pure lies. None of the 180 000 Zimbabweans were granted permanent residency in South Africa. They were given ZEP Permits which clearly states that SA temporarily accommodated them so that they rebuild their lives. No Zimbabwean should feel entitled to stay in South Africa for life. They have their own country and it is their duty to go and rebuild their country for themselves and their future generations. They can't run away from their problems forever. Here in SA we've got problems too.