Umamah Bakharia 

Numerous Zimbabweans living in South Africa are facing uncertainty, after the South African government announced that it would not be extending the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP), which ended in December 2021.

The permit-holders were given a 12-months grace period to regularize their stay with another category of permit. However, for those that could not, the Zimbabwean government says it’s ready to welcome back its citizens.

Speaking to Radio Islam, chairperson of the Zanu PF in the Sandton branch, Advocate Simba Chitando says there should be an initiative in place for thousands of Zimbabweans who have been directly affected by the South African governments decision.

Chitando say those Zimbabweans on the ZEP who have been living permanently in South Africa for more than 12 years will take a lot of work to be reintegrated into society. “There has to be some kind of welcoming initiative for Zimbabweans that have been so long outside of the country,” he says.

However, the matter will be heard in court in October regarding the uprooting of Zimbabweans residing in South Africa. “You cannot simply uproot that number of people and give them 12 months to relocate,” says Chitando.

Adding that the sentiments of Zimbabweans on the ground have turned negative after the increased xenophobic attacks on them.