Source: Zimbos risk losing voice in SA permit talks -Newsday Zimbabwe
WITH just days remaining before the extended deadline, Zimbabweans living in South Africa have been slow to participate in consultations that could shape the future of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), raising concern among community leaders that many risk missing a critical opportunity to influence immigration policy.
The consultations, initiated by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs following a court ruling that halted the termination of the ZEP programme, are intended to gather views on the future of exemption permit holders.
However, community representatives say the number of submissions received so far remains low relative to the hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans potentially affected by changes to the programme.
The ZEP proposals were offered together with those related to the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP).
According to African Diaspora Forum executive director and Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairperson Ngqabutho Mabhena, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs received 21 520 email submissions and 30 924 completed online questionnaires by June 18.
“We, ourselves, have done our part,” he said during an online discussion on Sunday.
“We attended all meetings convened by the Department of Home Affairs from April 23, 2026, up to the last one held on June 18, 2026.”
Mabhena said the figures reflected combined submissions from both ZEP and LEP holders.
“The number is still low.
“Remember this is combined Lesotho Exemption Permits and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits.”
Mabhena also acknowledged that figures previously communicated by activists were inaccurate.
“In another video, we said 50 000. We were wrong, we got our figures wrong last time. We once again ask you to forgive us,” he said.
Following engagements with Home Affairs officials, Mabhena said authorities agreed to extend the submission deadline from June 23 to 30, 2026.
“When we arrived at the meeting, I had to ask why not just extend these things and give us another week,” he said.
“There are people out there who, for one reason or another, are struggling to complete the form or write their own submissions.”
He revealed that community activists have been overwhelmed by requests for assistance from applicants struggling with the process.
“We are actually assisting them to write the submissions.
“We are overwhelmed.”
Mabhena also appealed for patience from community members, saying volunteers have been receiving thousands of messages daily from desperate applicants seeking help.
“People want instant responses. Let’s say you receive 1 000 WhatsApp messages a day, how do you deal with such?” he asked.
“Even if you stay awake for 24 hours, you cannot reply to a thousand messages a day. Be patient with us. Don’t be aggressive.”
The consultations form part of ongoing engagements by South African authorities on the future of exemption permit holders, many of whom face uncertainty over their immigration status.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs launched the stakeholder consultative process on the future of the ZEP and LEP programmes following a landmark court ruling that halted the termination of the permits.
In a notice issued on June 18, the department invited stakeholders and government representatives to participate in a Gauteng provincial Stakeholder Consultation Workshop scheduled for later this month at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.
The consultations stem from a June 2023 ruling by the Pretoria High Court in a case involving the Helen Suzman Foundation and others against the Home Affairs minister.
The court declared the decision to terminate the ZEP programme unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
The judgment further ordered that ZEP holders be allowed to remain in South Africa while a proper consultative process is conducted.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the public consultative exercise will take place during the 2026-27 financial year, with recommendations on the future of both the ZEP and LEP programmes expected to be submitted to Cabinet by March 31, 2027.
The consultations come at a time when sporadic xenophobic violence has erupted in parts of South Africa, heightening anxiety among foreign nationals living in the country.
Several governments, including those of Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, have reportedly arranged transport for citizens wishing to return home amid fears that tensions could escalate further.
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