News / National
Zimbabweans risk losing voice in SA permit talks
9 hrs ago |
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With only days remaining before the extended deadline for submissions on the future of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), community leaders have expressed concern over the low participation rate among Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
The consultations, initiated by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs following a court ruling that halted the termination of the ZEP programme, are intended to gather views from permit holders and stakeholders before any future policy decisions are made.
However, representatives of the Zimbabwean community say the number of submissions received so far remains significantly lower than expected given the hundreds of thousands of people who could be affected.
The consultation process also covers holders of the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP).
Speaking during an online discussion on Sunday, Ngqabutho Mabhena, who also chairs the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, said the Department of Home Affairs had received 21,520 email submissions and 30,924 completed online questionnaires as of June 18.
"We, ourselves, have done our part," said Mabhena.
"We attended all meetings convened by the Department of Home Affairs from April 23, 2026, up to the last one held on June 18, 2026."
He noted that the figures represented combined submissions from both ZEP and LEP holders.
"The number is still low. Remember this is combined Lesotho Exemption Permits and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits," he said.
Mabhena also acknowledged that activists had previously overstated participation figures.
"In another video, we said 50,000. We were wrong, we got our figures wrong last time. We once again ask you to forgive us," he said.
Following engagements with Home Affairs officials, community representatives successfully lobbied for the deadline to be extended from June 23 to June 30, 2026.
"When we arrived at the meeting, I had to ask why not just extend these things and give us another week," Mabhena said.
"There are people out there who, for one reason or another, are struggling to complete the form or write their own submissions."
He revealed that activists and volunteers assisting community members had been inundated with requests for help.
"We are actually assisting them to write the submissions. We are overwhelmed," he said.
Mabhena appealed for patience from applicants seeking assistance, saying volunteers were receiving thousands of messages daily.
"People want instant responses. Let's say you receive 1,000 WhatsApp messages a day, how do you deal with such?" he asked.
"Even if you stay awake for 24 hours, you cannot reply to a thousand messages a day. Be patient with us. Don't be aggressive."
The consultation process follows a landmark ruling by the Pretoria High Court in June 2023 in a case brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation and other applicants against the Minister of Home Affairs.
The court found that the decision to terminate the ZEP programme was unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid, and ordered that permit holders be allowed to remain in South Africa while a proper consultative process was conducted.
As part of the ongoing process, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has invited stakeholders and government representatives to participate in a Gauteng Provincial Stakeholder Consultation Workshop scheduled to take place at Emperors Palace later this month.
According to the department, the public consultation exercise will continue during the 2026/27 financial year, with recommendations on the future of both the ZEP and LEP programmes expected to be submitted to Cabinet by March 31, 2027.
The consultations come against a backdrop of growing anxiety among foreign nationals following sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa.
Several African governments, including those of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria, have reportedly made transport arrangements for citizens wishing to return home amid concerns that tensions could worsen.
Community leaders are now urging Zimbabweans affected by the ZEP programme to make their voices heard before the June 30 deadline, warning that the outcome of the consultation process could have far-reaching implications for their future in South Africa.
The consultations, initiated by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs following a court ruling that halted the termination of the ZEP programme, are intended to gather views from permit holders and stakeholders before any future policy decisions are made.
However, representatives of the Zimbabwean community say the number of submissions received so far remains significantly lower than expected given the hundreds of thousands of people who could be affected.
The consultation process also covers holders of the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP).
Speaking during an online discussion on Sunday, Ngqabutho Mabhena, who also chairs the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, said the Department of Home Affairs had received 21,520 email submissions and 30,924 completed online questionnaires as of June 18.
"We, ourselves, have done our part," said Mabhena.
"We attended all meetings convened by the Department of Home Affairs from April 23, 2026, up to the last one held on June 18, 2026."
He noted that the figures represented combined submissions from both ZEP and LEP holders.
"The number is still low. Remember this is combined Lesotho Exemption Permits and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits," he said.
Mabhena also acknowledged that activists had previously overstated participation figures.
"In another video, we said 50,000. We were wrong, we got our figures wrong last time. We once again ask you to forgive us," he said.
Following engagements with Home Affairs officials, community representatives successfully lobbied for the deadline to be extended from June 23 to June 30, 2026.
"When we arrived at the meeting, I had to ask why not just extend these things and give us another week," Mabhena said.
"There are people out there who, for one reason or another, are struggling to complete the form or write their own submissions."
He revealed that activists and volunteers assisting community members had been inundated with requests for help.
"We are actually assisting them to write the submissions. We are overwhelmed," he said.
Mabhena appealed for patience from applicants seeking assistance, saying volunteers were receiving thousands of messages daily.
"People want instant responses. Let's say you receive 1,000 WhatsApp messages a day, how do you deal with such?" he asked.
"Even if you stay awake for 24 hours, you cannot reply to a thousand messages a day. Be patient with us. Don't be aggressive."
The consultation process follows a landmark ruling by the Pretoria High Court in June 2023 in a case brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation and other applicants against the Minister of Home Affairs.
The court found that the decision to terminate the ZEP programme was unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid, and ordered that permit holders be allowed to remain in South Africa while a proper consultative process was conducted.
As part of the ongoing process, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has invited stakeholders and government representatives to participate in a Gauteng Provincial Stakeholder Consultation Workshop scheduled to take place at Emperors Palace later this month.
According to the department, the public consultation exercise will continue during the 2026/27 financial year, with recommendations on the future of both the ZEP and LEP programmes expected to be submitted to Cabinet by March 31, 2027.
The consultations come against a backdrop of growing anxiety among foreign nationals following sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa.
Several African governments, including those of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria, have reportedly made transport arrangements for citizens wishing to return home amid concerns that tensions could worsen.
Community leaders are now urging Zimbabweans affected by the ZEP programme to make their voices heard before the June 30 deadline, warning that the outcome of the consultation process could have far-reaching implications for their future in South Africa.
Source - newsday
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