Pretoria - The South African government will not move its special dispensation deadline for Zimbabweans to regularise their stay in the country, which is set for 31 December.
Shortly after her meeting with representatives of different Zimbabwean organisations on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said the deadline will not change.
"We've met the Zimbabwean stakeholders to get their perspective on challenges creating problems for them ... so that we can resolve them.
"At this stage, we want to be clear that there is no plan to move the deadline. The current deadline for December 31 is still firm," she said.
Another meeting is planned for the second week of December to finalise all outstanding challenges.
However, Dlamini Zuma said those who are on the department's database before the deadline will be assisted to regularise their stay in the country.
"Here we are referring to those who will still be waiting for proper documentation from their home country and approach us before the deadline. Anyone who fails to report or apply to be regularise will not be considered," she said.
Some challenges have sprung up with regards to those who surrendered their fraudulently acquired documentation and have since received amnesty.
"[Some of these] people have bought properties, registered businesses and their children's birth certificates with these fraudulent documents," said the minister.
Dlamini Zuma said more than 70 000 people have since come forward to get their documentation, while less than 2 000 have surrendered their fraudulent documents.
The Zimbabwean government is said to have produced over 30 000 passports so far for its citizens living in South Africa.
Robert Mugabe's government has agreed to open an office at Beitbridge border in Musina to fast track the process.
After Zimbabwe, Dlamini Zuma said the process would be extended to other citizens from neighbouring countries living in South Africa.
