Foundation welcomes extension of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has welcomed the decision by Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber to extend the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) and the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) until 28 May 2027.

According to the Foundation, the extension will allow current ZEP and LEP holders to remain lawfully in South Africa while the minister conducts nationwide consultations. This follows a 2023 Pretoria High Court ruling in which HSF successfully challenged a previous decision to terminate the ZEP programme without prior notice or public consultation.

The minister's directive clarifies that ZEP and LEP holders cannot be arrested, detained, or deported under section 34 of the Immigration Act due to an invalid exemption certificate. Holders may also freely enter or depart South Africa under immigration regulations and will not need to produce a valid exemption certificate when applying for another visa category under section 10(2) of the Act.

HSF said the move provides much-needed legal certainty and continuity for more than 178,000 ZEP and LEP holders who have lived and worked in South Africa for many years.

Invoking the values championed by Helen Suzman - justice, due process, and protection of human rights - the Foundation urged that consultations be transparent and inclusive, taking into account the needs of vulnerable permit holders and all relevant stakeholders.

HSF stressed that these consultations should be completed well before the new expiry date to prevent further cycles of uncertainty.

On Wednesday, IOL reported that in a move bringing relief to thousands of Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa, Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber has extended the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) until May 28, 2027.

The announcement was formalized through the Minister's Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, seen by IOL, and affects approximately 180,000 ZEP holders living in South Africa.

The ZEP programme, first introduced in 2017, was designed to regularize the status of Zimbabwean nationals residing in South Africa under the previous Zimbabwean Dispensation Permit.

However, in December 2021, the Department of Home Affairs announced the discontinuation of ZEP, giving holders until December 31, 2022, to transition to other visa categories.