‘Anyone against ZEP ruling is xenophobic’-ZIP Chair

The Zimbabwean Immigration Federation has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s ruling which deemed the Department of Home Affairs decision unlawful and prevented the holders from being deported. The federation says the departments plans tramples on the rights of children of ZEP permit holders.

TERMINATION OF ZEP UNFAIR TO CHILDREN

ALSO READ: Truckers association disappointed by extension of ZEPs

Speaking to the SABC, ZIF Chairperson, Luke Dzvti says the cancellation of the permit is most unfair to children who were born in the country and only know South Africa as their home.

“It’s quite wrong to chase away, especially kids. A lot of kids were born here before or around year 2000 or a bit earlier and the only place they know as home is South Africa. It will be wrong to remove a child back to Zimbabwe when he/she is supposed to be a citizen by birth”, saysd Dzvti.

“So it’ll be taking away constitutional rights of the children”, he adds.

ALSO READ: ZEP: Gayton McKenzie accuses Motsoaledi of selling fight against illegal immigration

‘ANYONE AGAINST THE EXTENSION IS XENOPHOBIC’

Another ANC failure to protect our country's sovereignty.
The Minister must appeal decision if serious about the plight of the 12 million unemployed South Africans. https://t.co/mY8iOI597l

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) June 28, 2023

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, has taken a jab at the ANC on a Twitter post, by eluding that the High Courts decision is the party’s ‘failure to protect its sovereignty’.

“The minister must appeal the decision if he’s serious about the plight of 12 million unemployed South Africans” he says in the post.

ALSO READ: Twitter threats to litigants in ZEP court case

Why must the ZEP holders be consulted as opposed to being given fair warning of the permits coming to an end? This constitution of ours needs to be revised. https://t.co/MFV6FF25Tb

— Kananelo (@kaysexwale) June 28, 2023

ALSO READ: Minister acted outside his powers by scrapping the ZEP system

Dzvti has also called on anyone against the court ruling as xenophobic.

“I would they are xenophobic. We’ve got white people who have lived for many years and have got permanent residency. Operation Dudula is only fighting us and other organisations. (solidstonefabrics.com) They are not doing the same thing to Indians, Angolans and no one is saying anything about the Lesotho exemption permits which is also ending. They are just quiet you know”, he adds.

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