SA bans multiple use of Zim ETDs

By Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau Chief

South Africa’s Home Affairs Depart-ment at Beitbridge Border Post is no longer accepting multiple use of Zimbabwean emergency travel documents with effect from January 1.

The latest development effectively gives Zimbabwean ETD holders single entry into South Africa.

This came after a meeting between officials from the Registrar-General’s Office and senior immigration officials from South Africa and Zimbabwe over the issue of altered ETDs.

In an interview on Monday, the assistant regional immigration manager-in-charge at Beitbridge Border Post Mr Charles Gwede said in December South Africa’s Home Affairs Department indicated they would from January only accept ETDs with a 21-day validity.

Mr Gwede said ETD holders were now being given 14-day residence permits and the document could only be used once.

"We had a meeting with the South African Home Affairs Department over the issue of altered ETDs and they indicated their Immigration Act prohibited the use of an altered travel document.

"It was then agreed that Zimbabweans using altered ETDs would only be allowed into South Africa until 31 December and that regulation is now being applied."

He said in line with the agreement with their South African counterparts, they were also barring travellers using altered ETDs.

"ETD holders can no longer repeatedly use their documents following the new regulation by the South African Home Affairs, which came into effect on January 1 and we therefore urge those using such documents to take note of that and avoid disappointment at the border," Mr Gwede said.

In December, scores of Zimbabweans travelling to South Africa using altered but genuine ETDs were turned away at the border. The RG’s office had altered ETD validity periods from 21 days to six months and authenticated this with an official stamp.

The alterations were made in line with the visa-free arrangement in which Zimbabwe-ans are now given a three-month visitor’s permit.

Zimbabweans, according to the arrangement, are allowed to seek temporary jobs during their stay in South Africa.
published by, The Herald 30 Jan 2010