asylum seekers

The 90-day visa waiver is the result of a bilateral agreement concluded between home affairs departments in Zimbabwe and South Africa(1). In terms of this arrangement, Zimbabweans who wish to enter into South Africa are issued with a permit at the South African border post which allows them to remain in the country for 90 days. If they wish to work while in the country, they are required to inform an immigration officer, who will endorse the permit. After 90 days, there is the possibility of renewal for a further 90 days at a Home Affairs office at the cost of R425.

A report by the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) at the University of the Witwatersrand has attributed the influx of illegal migrants to a lack of information about immigration policy and border procedures.

The report points out that wrong information is spread by smugglers that encourage many migrants, including those with legitimate claims for asylum, to enter South Africa informally or illegally.