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Let me begin by reiterating government’s commitment to adjudicating applications from Zimbabweans who wish to regularise their stay in South Africa as soon as possible.

As at the end of business on Friday 31 December 2010, the closing date on which applications from undocumented Zimbabwean nationals were accepted, 275762 applications were received.

To date, a total of 42779 applications have been finalised and approved, with 10166 awaiting review. A total of 222 817 applications are awaiting adjudication. Amnesty has been granted to 6243 Zimbabwean nationals. And a total of 49 255 Zimbabwean nationals have surrendered their asylum status in favour of obtaining valid work and business permits.

These figures attest to our conviction that the majority of Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa want to comply with our immigration regulations with a view to living productive lives without fear of deportation.

Accordingly, on behalf of Minister Dlamini Zuma, we express our appreciation to the thousands of Zimbabweans who applied to have their stay in South Africa regularised. The support of the Zimbabwean stakeholder groups in the process was also invaluable.

As a Department, we are committed to finalising the processing of each of these applications as soon as possible. In some instances we are still awaiting the passports and other paperwork required to finalise some of these applications. You will be aware that in the last weeks, we waived the requirement for fingerprints to accompany the applications. We will therefore be calling in applicants to have their fingerprints taken so that their police clearances can be received. There are still therefore various processes that must be completed until we can close the file on each application.

Our officials and senior managers are continuing to prioritise the finalisation of applications. Zimbabwean nationals will be notified of the status of their applications through sms notification. While we appreciate your sense of uncertainty, we appeal to you to be patient. We will not prolong your uncertainty for any longer than is necessary.

We also reiterate that we will not be deporting any undocumented Zimbabwean nationals until we have completed the processing of all applications.

Before I conclude, we take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have successfully concluded their matric examinations. We reiterate our readiness to ensure that all of you who have not yet received their ID documents are assisted expeditiously through our 24-hour call centre. The Minister, being cognisant of the importance of ID documents to matriculants, especially as they enter the job market or pursue further education opportunities, established this centre in October 2010.

All matriculants who are still awaiting receipt of their IDs are therefore urged to call the call centre at the following numbers:
0800 601190 0800 204476 071 123 6353 072 616 8819
071 125 5631 071 227 8438 072 381 0836 072 435 8569
079 511 8810 079 075 4326

We also, at the beginning of the 2011 school year, encourage all those in the matric class of 2011 to apply for their IDs as soon as possible to avoid delays closer to the time of your examinations.