Ask Africa Check: Zimbabwean Special Dispensation permit
What is the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation permit?
The Zimbabwean Special Dispensation permit (ZSP) is the successor to a permit issued as part of the Home Affairs department’s Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP) which was implemented in April 2009.
The aim of the DZP was to create a record of Zimbabweans who had, until then, been living illegally in South Africa. It was also intended to provide an amnesty to Zimbabweans who had been using fraudulent South African identity documents. Many of the Zimbabweans living in South Africa had fled the political violence, instability and economic crises that had dogged their home country for more than a decade.
Read more about it in our factsheet.
Post by Africa Check.
DZP permit holders that would like to remain in South Africa have two choices:
If they meet the requirements for a regular study, work or business visas they can apply for them, but they need to do so in Zimbabwe.
The second option is to apply for the newly introduced Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP). Only applicants that are on the DZP database – even if they were denied a DZP permit – may apply for the ZSP.
You do not need to pay to complete the online application. You can do it at the Laywers for Human Rights offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. If you do not live in these cities you can phone Lawyers for Human Rights and they will complete the application for you over the phone.
The cost is the same at every centre across the county. You do not need to pay R1,350 at any centre.
We have started hosting regular Q&A sessions with our followers on topical issues. Our previous #AskAfricaCheck Q&A looked at crime statistics in South Africa. You can see it Storified here.
Do you have an idea for a Q&A? Email us using [email protected]
The @AfricaCheck & @LHR_SA teams are online now to answer your questions about the #ZSP. Tweet your questions using #AskAfricaCheck
— Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014What happens when the current DZP permits expire?
DZP permit holders that would like to remain in South Africa have two choices:
Answer: No new applications are accepted. Only Zimbabweans who applied for the #DZP in 2010 qualify for the #ZSP #AskAfricaCheck #Zimbabwe — Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014.@carlsomilla That's okay. Use this link (https://t.co/wZV5uCLrNH) & the passport number you used for #DZP to retrieve details. #ZSP
— Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014.@Tinashenjanji Yes! If you need your DZP ref no use this link (https://t.co/wZV5uCLrNH ) & your passport number #ZSP #Zimbabwe — Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014How long will it take to process the application?
7 to 10 weeks is a reasonable period of time to process all #ZSP applications. Please be patient — LawyersHumanRights (@LHR_SA) November 7, 2014Do you require police clearance?
.@michal_johnson It is required but you don't need it in advance of your appointment at VFS. A police clearance is done on the day #ZSP — LawyersHumanRights (@LHR_SA) November 7, 2014Where can I complete my online application?
You do not need to pay to complete the online application. You can do it at the Laywers for Human Rights offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. If you do not live in these cities you can phone Lawyers for Human Rights and they will complete the application for you over the phone.
You can complete your online #ZSP application FOR FREE at @LHR_SA in Johannesburg, Pretoria &Durban #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/3O3ldm1rAc — Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014.@carlsomilla Please call the @LHR_SA office & they will help you. In Jhb: Bongani on 011 339 1960. In Pretoria: Diana on 012 320 2943 #ZSP — Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014How much does the application cost?
The cost is the same at every centre across the county. You do not need to pay R1,350 at any centre.
#ZSP application fee: R870 (adults), R800 (children) at ALL centres. No cash accepted; deposit @ Standard Bank or debit/credit card payments — Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) November 7, 2014For queries on #ZSP please contact [email protected] or http://t.co/WRImN0e8UQ. The VFS call centre is for appointments only — LawyersHumanRights (@LHR_SA) November 7, 2014We have started hosting regular Q&A sessions with our followers on topical issues. Our previous #AskAfricaCheck Q&A looked at crime statistics in South Africa. You can see it Storified here.
Do you have an idea for a Q&A? Email us using [email protected]
Further Reading
RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
‘Almost double the world average’? Debunking government claims about water use in South Africa
Are government agencies right to blame consumers for water restrictions in South Africa?
The good, the bad and the ugly: we rate South African government websites
South Africans have the right to access government information, so it’s important that agency and department websites work well.
Add new comment