The existing special permit issued to nearly 200 000 Zimbabweans expires at the end of this year.

Zimbabwean authorities are delighted with the new arrangement.

Chargè d affairs at the Zimbabwe embassy Robert Muranga calls it an act of good neighbourliness.

He appeared with Home Affairs Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize briefing the media on the new permit – applications for which open next week.

Mkhize says migrants play an important role in respect of economic development  and enriching the social and cultural life of a country.

Controlling them requires caution.

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Having said 197 941 Zimbabweans have been issued  with the expiring permit, Mkhize won’t be drawn on the number of Zimbabweans actually living in South Africa.

Africa Check puts this figure at between two and three million.

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