Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
06 July 2023 | 16:05 CAT

Image: NEASA

Zimbabwean citizens living in South Africa as part of the Zimbabwean exemption permit can sigh a breath of relief after the High Court found Home Affairs’ Aaron Motsoaledi’s decision to terminate the ZEPs unlawfully, unconstitutional and invalid. This was after the decision by the Minister to terminate the Exemption permit this year.

Since 2009, eligible Zimbabweans have been granted exemption permits to live and work in South Africa. This specific type of permit, now known as the ZEP, was introduced for those who fled to South Africa due to their home country’s economic and political strife.

The ZEP was due to expire in December 2021. Motsoaledi decided not to renew the permit, which affects more than 178 000 people and extended the expiration deadline to the end of June 2023, which was later changed to December 2023.

The court found that the Minister did not follow a fair process before making his decision, which should have included consultation and an opportunity for ZEP holders to make representations.

Chairman of the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation, Luke Dzviti, welcomes the court ruling. While the ZEP permit is valid until 28 June 2024, the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation is submitting part B which will last three years longer, and there is potential that the ZEP might likely be valid until June 2027, says Dzviti.

The Zimbabwe Immigration Federation has fought tooth and nail to interdict the implementation of the decision by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi not to extend the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.