ZEPs Get Another 12-Month Extension – Eduzim News

South Africa- Authorities have given Zimbabweans using the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) another year to change the status of their visas.

ZEP is a critical document that enables thousands of Zimbabweans to live and work in South Africa, and it was set to expire on Friday, 28 November 2024. 

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber Minister Schreiber intervened at the eleventh hour to extend the permits’ validity by another year, pushing the expiration date to 28 November 2025.

This decision announced via a government gazette on 29 November, follows a Gauteng High Court ruling compelling the Department of Home Affairs to consult affected ZEP holders and other stakeholders on the future of the permits. 

Minister Schreiber emphasized that during this extension period, no ZEP holder would face arrest, deportation, or detention for not having a valid exemption certificate. Additionally, permit holders would be allowed to travel in and out of South Africa, provided they meet other entry and departure requirements.

Zimbabweans are one of the largest migrant groups in South Africa, having moved in significant numbers during Zimbabwe’s economic and political crises in the early 2000s. 

The ZEP, introduced as a temporary measure, allowed these migrants to regularize their stay without transitioning to permanent residency.

Over the years, the ZEP has provided access to work, education, and healthcare, serving as a lifeline for many.

However, its temporary nature has kept thousands in limbo, creating uncertainty about their future in South Africa. 

The recent announcement of the permits’ expiration had sparked widespread panic, exacerbated by administrative challenges and fears of deportation.

As the deadline loomed, thousands of ZEP holders scrambled to secure waivers or alternative visas through VFS Global, the Department of Home Affairs service provider. 

Reports from Cape Town and Gqeberha revealed long queues outside VFS offices, with some individuals spending days waiting for assistance.

At the Cape Town office, lines began forming as early as 6 a.m., with many expressing frustration over the online appointment booking system’s inefficiency.

A mother of three, who travelled from Cradock to Gqeberha, described her ordeal, saying, “I live far away and have no friends here. I am in limbo because I have to ensure I stay legally in this country given the constant arrests by immigration officials.”

Others, like a mother and son from Cleary Park, recounted their repeated attempts to book appointments online, only to face persistent technical difficulties. “We even sought help from an internet café, but the system remained unresponsive,” the mother lamented.

Chris Mapingure, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, criticized the Department of Home Affairs for its handling of the ZEP renewal process. “We’re not happy with the way Home Affairs has been treating people wanting to extend their permits through VFS. Desperate people approached us for assistance because they had difficulty booking appointments,” he said, adding that his organization had urged the department to extend the grace period.

Despite the extension, questions remain about how Home Affairs plans to address the systemic issues faced by ZEP holders.

While the reprieve offers temporary relief, the long-term future of Zimbabweans in South Africa remains uncertain.

The Department of Home Affairs and VFS Global were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

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