Immigration

How I crossed the border illegally

Every day, hundreds of Zimbabweans cross the Beit Bridge border across the Limpopo River into South Africa - some of them illegally. GroundUp reporter Tariro Washinyira joined them.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 13 October 2014

Zimbabweans report glitches in permit system

Zimbabweans were promised in August by the Department of Home Affairs that they could apply for the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) from October 1, 2014, but many have been unable to.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 8 October 2014

Court victory for asylum seekers

Somali and Ethiopian asylum seekers and refugees have scored a longed-for victory against official xenophobia – the Supreme Court of Appeal has thrown out key elements of ‘Operation Hardstick’.

Carmel Rickard

News | 6 October 2014

The week in activism

This week we look at Sonke’s call on government to support an important medical trial and the court ruling in the Limpopo foreign traders’ case brought by Lawyers for Human Rights.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 2 October 2014

New immigration laws here to stay - minister

On Tuesday at a media briefing in Cape Town on the implementation of the new immigration regulations, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba announced that the regulations will stay despite them having created much anxiety.

Tariro Washinyira and Thembela Ntongana

News | 16 September 2014

18 years documentation struggle with Home Affairs

After 18 years of legal struggles, Mathijs van Hillegondsberg will meet the Department of Home Affairs in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday. Van Hillegondsberg claims that he and his family have been victims of maladministration and abuse of power.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 9 September 2014

Police clearance is needed for Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit says Home Affairs

Following the Minister of Home Affairs remarks on 12 August 2014 that a clear criminal record was a condition to qualify for the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit, the Zimbabwe Community South Africa (ZCSA) said they have noted people flocking to police stations for police clearance. The ZCSA told GroundUp that in fact there was no need for anyone to get police clearance. Subsequent to GroundUp quoting ZCSA yesterday, Home Affairs has confirmed that a certificate is needed. GroundUp deeply regrets adding to the confusion.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 3 September 2014

Zimbabweans form local study group

Zimbabwean teachers and students sometimes find it hard to integrate to South African schools. Established in January 2014, Par excellence is a study group with teachers and 20 Zimbabwean students located in Salt River. They are mainly high school repeaters and a few primary school children whose parents could not get places for them in major South African schools.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 2 September 2014

SAPS told to treat foreigners with respect

The SA Police Service must “take urgent steps” to eradicate discriminatory behaviour towards foreigners and gay people, the Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha has said.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 26 August 2014