By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber extended the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) until May 28, 2027.
Schreiber noted that pending the conclusion of consultations, existing ZEPs shall be deemed to remain valid for an additional 18 months after the current expiry date of 28 November 2025.
He said the holder of an exemption certificate may be allowed to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa in terms of Section 9 of the Immigration Act, read together with the Immigration Regulations, 2014, provided that he or she complied with all other requirements for entry into and departure from the Republic, save for the reason of not having a valid visa endorsed in his or her passport.
The minister explained that no ZEP holder should be required to produce a valid exemption certificate, visa or an authorisation letter to remain in the country as contemplated in Section 32(1) of the Immigration Act when making an application for any category of the visa for temporary sojourn in the country as contemplated in Section 10(2) of the Immigration Act.
The extension provides ZEP holders with crucial time to regularize their immigration status, apply for mainstream visas, or make arrangements to leave South Africa.
ZEP holders are encouraged to consult the Department of Home Affairs for further guidance and updates.
Meanwhile ActionSA wants Schreiber to publish a comprehensive and time-bound transition plan that sets firm deadlines for the conclusion of consultations and implementation of immigration reforms.
“Every further delay deepens social tensions, weakens accountability, and tells law-abiding South Africans that their government lacks the political courage to lead, “said ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni.
Ngobeni said while the party supported a humane and orderly approach to immigration, it rejected the ongoing pattern of temporary measures that erode public confidence, undermine border integrity, and perpetuate inequality between citizens and foreign nationals.
The party have called on Schreiber to strengthen the Border Management Authority and internal enforcement capacity to decisively curb illegal immigration and restore the integrity of the country’s immigration laws by ending this cycle of indefinite extensions.