Recently, the two governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa agreed that they would cancel the easily attainable 3month visa that was issued to Zimbabweans’ on their arrival to any South African boarder entry. My opinion when this  law was passes was that it was great that Zimbabwe’s neighboring country is doing so much to help their fellow Zimbabweans. The visa was and is great because it helps to statistically show how many Zimbabweans were entering South Africa and for how long, which periods and for what reasons besides visit.

Unfortunately or fortunately for the Zimbabwean people, both governments have agreed on giving out free visas, that is proper documentation to all illegal Zimbabweans. This may sound good to may but not everyone will benefit from this.

As good a thought as this is to issue the necessary documentation to all Zimbabwean who are Illegal in South Africa, I believe that this was not well though of or a strategy for South Africa to get rid of Zimbabweans in their country.

Who benefits from this new law?

The SA government

The South African government of course benefits more from this. In what sense? Well, they finally manage to get rid of Zimbabweans in their country. If we notice most of the xenophobic attacks, they were mainly targeted at Zimbabwean immigrants and then other African immigrants. Maybe when they get rid of Zimbabweans’ one by one, xenophobia will start to die down in South Africa.

The Zim government

I really believe that this so called free act of kindness will be a big regret for many that will go to seek help from these governments. To me, I think that most of the illegal and legal Zimbabweans will be found unable to get the proper documentation that they need. By the 31^St of December 2010, their fate is then sealed and they are deported from a country where they are trying to leave and help their suffering families.

I believe that this was a conspiracy between the SA and Zim government to try and get as many Zimbabweans back home for the next year elections. Most of the after deportation will face a possibility of never leaving the country because of the tainted, travel history of being deported.

What should have been done?

The Zimbabweans’ living in SA should have been given ample time to sort themselves out not this hasty project, when SA is unable to provide birth certificate and ID for their people.  They should have waited to start this strategy of giving out proper documentation after the outcome of the 2011 elections. If this works for the good for the country then, then can relieve themselves of as many Zimbabweans’ as they want. Many I believe will be willing to leave country and go back home to a better future.

If the elections prove nothing but more suffering and pain, then South Africa would have written the biggest tragedy for most Zimbabwean people. Time is all that the need to see where and how to go about this before they start sending people to Zimbabwe to what can be their dream or biggest night mare.