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ZEP holders in SA describe legal limbo, arrests
2 hrs ago |
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Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders in South Africa say they are increasingly living in fear and uncertainty, citing unlawful arrests, lack of recognition of valid permits, and growing confusion over their legal status as the government moves to phase out the long-running exemption system.
During a Department of Home Affairs public consultation webinar, affected migrants, lawyers and advocacy groups said many ZEP holders are being detained by police and border officials who allegedly insist the permits are invalid unless accompanied by waiver application proof — despite official extensions still being in place.
The ZEP programme, introduced to regularise Zimbabweans who fled economic hardship, has allowed thousands to live and work in South Africa for more than a decade. However, since the government announced its termination in 2021, beneficiaries say they have been trapped in prolonged legal uncertainty, with repeated extensions failing to resolve practical challenges on the ground.
Immigration lawyer Nyeleti Baloyi said enforcement inconsistencies were a major concern, noting that many police officers and border officials appear unaware of court rulings and Home Affairs directives relating to ZEP validity. She warned that this confusion has left permit holders vulnerable to arrest and harassment.
Participants also said the transition to mainstream visa categories disadvantages many ZEP holders, particularly domestic workers, farm labourers and informal traders who do not meet skilled visa requirements. Families are also affected, with some children born in South Africa remaining undocumented due to administrative and legal barriers.
Community representatives described widespread distress linked to expired permit stickers that still reflect old dates, despite official extensions. This has reportedly created problems in workplaces, banks, and at border posts where authorities often refuse to recognise extension letters.
Advocates further argued that thousands of permit holders who have lived in South Africa for over 15 years have built families and livelihoods there, and should not be left in prolonged uncertainty while migration policy reforms continue.
The consultations highlight ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement, legal compliance, and the humanitarian realities faced by long-term Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa.
During a Department of Home Affairs public consultation webinar, affected migrants, lawyers and advocacy groups said many ZEP holders are being detained by police and border officials who allegedly insist the permits are invalid unless accompanied by waiver application proof — despite official extensions still being in place.
The ZEP programme, introduced to regularise Zimbabweans who fled economic hardship, has allowed thousands to live and work in South Africa for more than a decade. However, since the government announced its termination in 2021, beneficiaries say they have been trapped in prolonged legal uncertainty, with repeated extensions failing to resolve practical challenges on the ground.
Immigration lawyer Nyeleti Baloyi said enforcement inconsistencies were a major concern, noting that many police officers and border officials appear unaware of court rulings and Home Affairs directives relating to ZEP validity. She warned that this confusion has left permit holders vulnerable to arrest and harassment.
Participants also said the transition to mainstream visa categories disadvantages many ZEP holders, particularly domestic workers, farm labourers and informal traders who do not meet skilled visa requirements. Families are also affected, with some children born in South Africa remaining undocumented due to administrative and legal barriers.
Community representatives described widespread distress linked to expired permit stickers that still reflect old dates, despite official extensions. This has reportedly created problems in workplaces, banks, and at border posts where authorities often refuse to recognise extension letters.
Advocates further argued that thousands of permit holders who have lived in South Africa for over 15 years have built families and livelihoods there, and should not be left in prolonged uncertainty while migration policy reforms continue.
The consultations highlight ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement, legal compliance, and the humanitarian realities faced by long-term Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa.
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