On Thursday it was also announced that the special dispensation for Zimbabweans agreed on in April last year, would be withdrawn on December 31. The arrangement had been made during the crisis in Zimbabwe that resulted in economic and political instability.

The decision to end the agrrement was made last week after a bilateral agreement between the two countries' home affairs ministers.

Mamoepa said Zimbabwean nationals need to go to consulates or the embassy in South Africa to receive the required documentation to ensure that they are properly accounted for.
Home affairs has arranged for a meeting to clear up the confusion on the matter.

Government spokesman Themba Maseko had told reporters on Thursday.
"The decision seeks to ensure that all foreign nationals who reside in South Africa are documented and their presence is regularised."

On amnesty, Maseko said that it would be granted to Zimbabweans who may have obtained South African identification documents fraudulently, on condition that the documents are returned to the department of home affairs immediately.
"Those who return the illegal documents will be issued with the relevant permits," he said.
"The issuing of the various permits will commence between now and December 31 and the deportation of undocumented Zimbabweans will resume after this date."

There is currently no government data on the number of Zimbabweans currently residing illegally in South Africa; the plan looks to remedy that situation.
Once everyone is documented it will also be easier to catch criminals in situations where foreign nationals are involved.

Aid organisations estimate the number of illegal Zimbabweans in the country to be as high as 1.5 million.

By Special correspondent