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Zimbabweans Pour Into South Africa After Visas Waived, Causing Concern


The South African Home Affairs Department says Zimbabweans have been pouring into the country since the country waived visa requirements for nationals of its neighbor to the north, estimating that some 7,000 Zimbabweans are entering the country every day.

Home Affairs officials said most of those entering the country are asking for the new 90-day working permit now being granted to Zimbabweans, indicating they are not just crossing the border to shop for goods unavailable or prohibitively expensive in Zimbabwe.

South African commentator Prince Mashele told national television that authorities erred in lifting the visa requirement, predicting this will further tighten the national job market.

But Chairman Remember Moyo of the Zimbabwe Support Action Group told reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the heavy inflow will ebb as most of those rushing across the border will soon realize that jobs are scarce.

More reports from VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe…

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