Dear Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs,

I am writing to appeal to you to make every effort through your political connections to extend the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, or introduce some other suitable way to enable law-abiding, productive Zimbabweans to remain in the country after the end of this year. This is not a request to condone illegal immigration, but a request to allow those with jobs to remain in SA legally and continue to contribute to our economy and society through their labour and taxes. This benefits the South African economy as well as our learners taught by qualified Zimbabwean teachers and therefore may well provide more jobs in the long term than would be made available to South Africans in the short term by expelling the Zimbabweans.

From conversations I have had with those affected, it will be very difficult for many of them to qualify for other permits to remain in SA, given the stringent requirements. It is also the compassionate thing to do, and would reflect our solidarity with fellow Africans, reciprocating what our neighbouring states showed to South Africans in the past. The people affected are not just individual workers, but also their families, including children born in South Africa. We know they will not find jobs in Zimbabwe. We may not be able to provide much practical support to people suffering in our neighbouring country at present, but at least here is something that is under our control as a nation that we can do to reduce suffering in the world.

Let’s be human and do it.