South Africa Extends Zimbabwe Special Permits DeadlineThe South African Government has extended the deadline for the issuance of the outstanding special permits to Zimbabweans in South Africa to january 31, 2016, throwing a lifeline to those that had not yet received them. The department of home affairs had initially said the xtension would not run into next year. The permits are valid for three years. Chairman Solomon Chikowero of the Global Zimbabwe Forum is welcoming the move. The Home Affairs Department also announced that rejected permits which stood at 12,000 had now been revised to 25 giving more Zimbabweans a chance to legally stay in South Africa. "We are excited about this announcement it gives hope to some of those who had initially been rejected and those that had not yet received their ZSP permits a longer time to finally have closure and stay in South Africa legally," said Chikowero. Chikowero said his organisation and others that promote immmigration rights in South Africa met with South African government officials on November 4, recommending an extension and he is happy that they fulfilled this recommendation giving more Zimbabwean a chance to stay in South Africa legally. meanwhile, more than 500 nigerians deported from the united kingdom today arrived home amid concern by some Zimbabweans living illegally in that nation that they may also be sent back home soon. According to the daily post of nigeria and press reports in london, the deportees were sent home due to expired immigration papers. Indications are that britain is planning to deport more than 29,000 nigerians. Some Zimbabweans who spoke to Studio 7 said most of the people without proper documents are panicking, thinking that they may be the next targets. The number of zimbabweans living illegally in the united kingdom is unknown. Immigration authorities and British parliamentarians linked to Zimbabwean issues declined to comment. No media source currently available