SA expands options for ZEP holders

Source: SA expands options for ZEP holders – herald

Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

THE South African Government is expanding options for Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders to transition to mainstream permits to regularise their stay in that country.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza announced yesterday that migrants with ZEPs may apply for permanent residency, as the permit was initially a temporary arrangement.

The ZEP, introduced in 2009, allowed thousands of eligible Zimbabweans to reside and work in South Africa.

With the permit expiring every three years and requiring continuous renewal, holders are exploring alternative visa options.

Mr Nzuza emphasised that applying for permanent residency is a viable path, especially for those who have established careers and live in South Africa.

“The ZEP was a special permit issued to Zimbabweans under certain conditions, and we have been renewing it over time,” said the Deputy Minister.

“And even right now, we have been calling on those holders of that permit to look at other legal pathways in which they may apply for permanent residence or any other form of permit, because the Exemption permit itself was meant to be a temporary arrangement.

“But, rather than seeking to stay in the country, they must apply for other forms of entrance into the country, including applying for permanent residence and other permits.

“All those applications will be looked at on merit; it’s not going to be a blanket approach where you say all ZEP holders are now permanent residents. Every person should apply, and then we determine if they qualify”.

With respect to economic migrants, they could apply for a relevant business rather than pretending to be asylum seekers and then try to obtain permanent residence permits at a later stage.

The development comes a few months after South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs further extended the lifeline of the ZEP permits to May 28, 2027.