The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association (ZEPHA), a South African-based organisation that seeks to protect the rights of Zimbabweans in the neighbouring country, says Zimbabwean children are being denied their right to education.
ZEPHA is asking the Gauteng High Court to set aside what it considers an SA government decision to refuse to enroll children of ZEP holders.
It cited the ministers and directors-general of Basic Education and Home Affairs as respondents.
One of the applicants alleges that he was unable to register his daughter at Rand Park High in Johannesburg in what is supposed to be her matric year.
He claimed the school cited the uncertainty of his legal status in SA as the reason for its decision.
In a statement, ZEPHA said this is just one of several such instances of children of Zimbabweans being denied enrolment in South African schools. It said:
This is a cruel, inhuman, and unconstitutional punishment of Zimbabwean children’s right to complete their education.
The decision by SA Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to end the ZEP system by 30 June this year is the subject of three separate challenges.
The three groups are ZEPHA, the Helen Suzman Foundation and the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation.
All the groups are challenging Home Affairs’ decision to end the ZEP system, which was introduced more than a decade ago.
ZEPHA is arguing that ZEP holders have a legitimate expectation of being granted permanent residence in SA, as most are working, paying taxes, and raising their children in the neighbouring. | Moneyweb