SA HOME AFFAIRS TO DEPORT ZIMBABWEANS

Sources| The Department of Home Affairs lost a court case and thus will not be able to deport 178,000 Zimbabwean exemption permit (ZEP) holders.

The ZEP is a special permit that grants its holders and their children temporary legal status to live, work and study in South Africa.

It was introduced by the government to cope with the influx of undocumented Zimbabweans.

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says that in the coming year, his department will intensify inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% and take action, including deportations, against people illegally employed.

The Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that Emmerson Mnangagwa emerged as President for the second term following the disputed elections on Saturday, which led to protests from Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa.

Patriot Alliance (PA) leader, Gayton Mackenzie, has urged the Department of Home Affairs (DHE) to stand ready and deport the Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa who have vowed to march to their embassy to protest against election results in Zimbabwe.