South Africa has temporarily scrapped stringent visa requirements for Zimbabweans, Harare’s Herald newspaper reported on Friday.
Its website said this emerged during the second session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security in Harare.
South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota told the session on Thursday the two countries’ home affairs ministers would meet as a matter of urgency on the issue of visas.
”Existing arrangements have been suspended. [There are] no more [stringent] visa requirements subject to further consideration by the two governments,” Lekota added.
He rejected claims that Zimbabweans were fuelling crime in South Africa.
It cannot be assumed that Zimbabweans were largely responsible for crime in South Africa.
”There is nothing to suggest that Zimbabweans are exclusive to crime problems we have. It’s not the position of the government of South Africa,” the minister said.
Lekota also touched on complaints by Zimbabwean migrant workers that they were being arrested and deported each time they sought their pay from South African employers.
The media in both countries should help by reporting on the disadvantages and dangers of working illegally in any country.
Lekota said it is important for Zimbabweans to have the required documents to work in South Africa for them to avoid the embarrassment of being rounded up and deported.
Low wages paid to Zimbabwean workers without proper documents negatively affect the South Africa labour market as many employers now choose to under pay their staff.
Lekota said Southern African Development Community countries are working on an integrated economic vision that would see workers in the sub-region enjoying equal rights.
”We want a common regime that protects workers’ rights,” he said. — Sapa