After some torturous months of uncertainty surrounding their stay in South Africa as their permits neared expiry, thousands of Zimbabwean nationals in the country are now contending with threats by local banks to freeze their accounts by end of the month when the permits elapse.

Some 250 000 holders of the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP), who are among millions that have fled economic and political crises to the neighbouring South Africa, are in panic mode as none of the new permits would be issued by December 31.

The Department of Home Affairs recently extended the deadline for applications to the end of January.

This will pave way for the issuing of the new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).

As the expiry of the current permits draw to an end, some South African banks have alerted Zimbabwean account holders to the possibility of freezing their accounts pending the issuance of new permits.

Hordes of Zimbabwean clients banking with ABSA, Capitec, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank confirmed receiving notifications to renew their permits lest their accounts were frozen.

“I have been warned to bring with new documents before the December 31 expiry date. After receiving this message, I promptly rushed to the bank hall to verify. Officials plainly told me they will freeze it if no permit is received,” said Mlungisi Ndebele of Alexandra township north of Johannesburg.

A Zimbabwean client with the same bank raised similar concerns.

“Now, if banks freeze our accounts, they would have skinned us alive! I have kept all the money for my three-year savings with the intention to purchase a car and a house,” Ruzvidzo Takawira of Bramley, Johannesburg said.- CAJ