The planned demonstration comes in response to a recent announcement that passport costs have surged by nearly 50%.

On July 26, the Zimbabwean consulate in the city of Johannesburg disclosed that passport fees would increase from approximately $160 to over $230.

This decision has prompted over 1 000 Zimbabweans to sign a petition demanding that the government reconsider its move. 

 

Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Migrants and Refugees support network, Shelton Chinyangwa, says, "As an organization, we feel that the price increase is not fair on the part of Zimbabweans that are living in South Africa. We actually think that it is ridiculous. It is a move by the government not to assist its people in making sure that they document themselves in the host country, which is fighting against undocumented persons in South Africa. So, we feel that the government in Arabia is not doing very well in trying to support the host country regarding the issue of being undocumented by having passports with such skyrocketing prices and it's ridiculous."

Chinyangwa says the increase of the price will impact Zimbabweans who are living in South Africa.

“95% if not 98% of Zimbabweans that are living in South Africa. They are self-employed, they are not formally employed, most of them, and those that are formally employed, are employed as domestics and just those manual jobs that do not make them earn quite a lot of money. So, what will then happen is that it will cause them not to even consider wanting to apply for passports because the price is just beyond the reach of many.”

--ChannelAfrica--