\n<\/p>\n
Good News For ZEP Holders<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
South Africa<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The government has\u00a0signalled\u00a0that holders of the\u00a0Zimbabwe Exemption Permit\u00a0(ZEP) may apply for permanent residence, but only through existing legal channels, as the\u00a0programme\u00a0was never intended\u00a0to offer a pathway to automatic settlement.<\/p>\n Deputy Minister of Home Affairs,\u00a0Njabulo Nzuza, said Zimbabweans currently in possession of ZEPs should begin exploring alternative legal options if they wish to remain in the country beyond the lifespan of the permit.<\/p>\n Speaking on\u00a0Newzroom Afrika<\/em>\u00a0on Monday, Nzuza\u00a0emphasised\u00a0that the ZEP system\u00a0was introduced\u00a0as a temporary intervention rather than a permanent immigration solution.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the Zimbabwean exemption permits, as the words say, were special permits that\u00a0were issued\u00a0to Zimbabweans under certain conditions that were there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been renewing it over time, and even right now, we are calling on all those who are on this exemption permit to look at other legal pathways through which they can apply for permanent residency or any other form of legal stay.\u201d<\/p>\n Nzuza stressed that any applications for permanent residence would be assessed on merit, ruling out\u00a0the possibility of\u00a0a blanket transition for all ZEP holders.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not going to be a blanket approach where you say all ZEP holders are now permanent residence holders. Each individual must apply, and we will determine whether they qualify,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n \nRelated<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n