Excerpt of Government statement on the Cabinet meeting of 6 August 2014:
Cabinet approved the new Zimbabwean Dispensation process. The Minster of Home Affairs will conduct a separate media briefing to announce details of this process.
The Department of Home Affairs has not yet made an official statement in this regard, and thus the details of the new dispensation need to be awaited. Apparently, they are to be announced by 15 August 2014.
12 August 2014 - Minister Gigaba Announces Extension of DZP Project:
"(...) Accordingly, I announce today, the closure of the Dispensation for Zimbabwe Project, as of 31 December, 2014.
As a result, it is important to note that the expiry date of all DZP permits which expire before 31 December 2014 is accordingly delayed until 31 December 2014. The expiry date of those DZP permits which expire after December 2014, is being brought forward to 31 December 2014.
Furthermore, I hereby announce the creation of the new Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit of 2014, or to use the acronym, the 'ZSP'.
All relevant and available details are outlined in the media packs accompanying this announcement, but I will give an overview of the most important details.
DZP permit-holders who wish to remain in South Africa after the expiry of their permits, can reapply for the ZSP, subject to certain conditions.
These conditions include, but are not limited to: a valid Zimbabwean passport; evidence of employment, business or accredited study; and a clear criminal record.
The ZSP will allow permit-holders to live, work, conduct business and study in South Africa, for the duration of the permit, which is valid until 31 December, 2017.
Applications will open on 01 October 2014, and close on 31 December 2014.
Applications will be managed by our partner VFS, and adjudicated by the Department of Home Affairs.
VFS will open four new offices in provinces where we anticipate large numbers of applicants, namely Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
These are in addition to the eleven offices already open, all of which will deal with ZSP applications.
In line with the new, improved process for all visa and permit applications, applications will begin online, with appointments given for in-person finalization at a visa facilitation center.
Therefore there will be no queues as experienced in the past, and we trust applicants will enjoy a pleasant and efficient application experience.
An administration fee will apply, which we will communicated once it has been decided, after the completion of discussions between the Department and VFS.
ZSP permit-holders who wish to stay in South Africa after the expiry of the ZSP, must return to Zimbabwe to apply for mainstream visas and permits under the Immigration Act, subject to the relevant requirements.
These applications will be considered within 12 months of the expiry of the ZSP permits, so from January 2017.
For the full statement, go to http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/statements-speeches/506-remarks-by-minister-malusi-gigaba-on-the-announcement-of-the-zimbabwean-special-dispensation-permit-in-pretoria-12-august-2014
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