Zimbabweans happy with ZEP extension

The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa (ZimCommunitySA) has welcomed the South African government's decision to extend the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) by another 18 months, calling it a compassionate move that brings temporary relief to thousands of Zimbabweans residing across the Limpopo.

Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber announced the extension through Government Gazette No. 53484, issued under Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025. The decision means that ZEPs, which were due to expire at the end of November, will now remain valid until 28 May 2025.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ZimCommunitySA said the extension safeguards livelihoods while ongoing policy consultations continue.

"We acknowledge this extension as a positive and humane decision that provides temporary relief to thousands of Zimbabweans living, studying, and working in South Africa," the organisation said.

However, the group warned that repeated short-term extensions have created anxiety and uncertainty among permit holders.

"While we appreciate every effort by the South African government, we must express concern that piecemeal extensions leave families and workers in prolonged uncertainty, affecting livelihoods and creating confusion among those trying to transition to mainstream visa categories," read part of the statement.

ZimCommunitySA also raised concerns over growing administrative hurdles faced by permit holders, including high rejection rates for waiver applications, technical glitches on VFS Global's online platform, and demands for physical permit stickers from employers and service providers despite the government gazette confirming the permits' validity.

To address these challenges, the organisation proposed that authorities issue temporary validity stickers or certifications to help ease verification issues and prevent harassment.

"We therefore propose that, through arrangement with VFS Global and the Department of Home Affairs, a temporary ZEP validity sticker or certification be issued to holders to ease verification challenges," the group added.

ZimCommunitySA further urged South Africa's Immigration Advisory Board and Department of Home Affairs to engage directly with affected communities to craft a lasting, humane solution for Zimbabwean nationals.

"We remain deeply grateful to the Republic of South Africa for its continued hospitality and regional solidarity," the organisation said. "We reaffirm our commitment to cooperation, lawful conduct, and constructive dialogue in pursuit of a clear and lasting pathway for all affected Zimbabweans."

The ZEP, first introduced in 2017, has provided legal status to tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who migrated to South Africa during the height of Zimbabwe's economic crisis. The latest extension offers temporary reprieve while long-term immigration reforms are under consideration.