|
17 Cuban doctors want permanent
resident status
SABC
News, November
23, 2004, South Africa.
The South African government is considering
applications from at least 17 Cuban doctors
for permanent residence in South Africa.
"The (health) department is considering
the applications and will finalise this
matter based on the merit and demerit of
each individual's case," the health
ministry said in a statement today.
It was responding to a report in Beeld
newspaper that about 150 Cuban doctors were
threatening legal action against the South
African government for not providing them
with permanent resident status as allegedly
promised in an agreement between the two
countries. Beeld reported that not even
marrying a South African resident would
guarantee the doctors the right to live
in the country.
Sibani Mngadi, a spokesperson, confirmed
the health department had received requests
from at least 17 doctors, who were Cuban
nationals, for the department to endorse
their applications for permanent residence.
However, the department of home affairs,
responsible for granting such requests,
said it had not yet been made aware of the
situation.
Leslie Mashokwe, a spokesperson, said it
would be the responsibility of his department
to decide on the matter when the issue did
arise. Mngadi said the doctors were requesting
certificates confirming they had been employed
by provincial departments of health for
a period of five years or more, and therefore
qualified to apply for permanent residence.
"The department is considering these
requests in line with the Immigration Act,
which allows for foreign nationals who have
been in South Africa for a minimum of five
years on a valid work permit, to apply for
permanent residence," he said.
The department had to ensure that each
application was considered on its own merit
-- and such consideration took time. "However,
the department is doing its best to finalise
these cases as soon as possible," he
said.
The Cuban embassy was not available for
comment. - Sapa
|
