Pretoria - The final bells for the registration of illegal Zimbabweans living in South Africa are tolling, with only three days left before the deadline of 31 December 2010 as set out by Cabinet.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is adamant that the deadline won't change.
"In this regard, we wish to extend our gratitude to the multitudes of Zimbabweans who took time off from their daily chores, to take advantage of the genuine offer by our government to regularise themselves and to submit fraudulently acquired South African documents," said the minister on Monday.
"Equally, we thank the various organisations representing Zimbabweans living in South Africa for their genuine efforts in mobilising thousands of their compatriots to apply for various permits that will help in regularising their stay in South Africa."
She appealed to those who still had not applied for permits to do so in the few days that remain.
"Even at this late hour, we take this opportunity to make the final appeal to those who have not applied for their regularisation or those with fraudulently acquired South African documents to apply or submit such documents now and not wait for the deadline."
The minister said the South African government was fully aware of the challenges faced by the Zimbabwean authorities in issuing valid travel documents to those seeking to apply for their regularisation in South Africa.
"In this context, the South African government will accept receipts issued by the Zimbabwean authorities as proof of their applications for such travel documents.
"At this stage, the government will be taking forms from applicants and will process them later with a view to ensuring that as many illegal Zimbabweans are registered on our system," she said.
Home Affairs offices across the country will be open leading up to the deadline to help those who have not yet applied.
All senior managers, including Director-General Mkuseli Apleni, Deputy Directors-General and Acting Deputy Directors-General, will be deployed to various centres across the country to assist in the process, according to Dlamini Zuma.
