Search / Epartment of home affairs
South Africa deports 10,000 illegal immigrants
The Border Management Authority (BMA) of South Africa has deported nearly 10,000 illegal immigrants who attempted to cross into the country during the first quarter of 2025. This was revealed in a sta...Published: 03 Aug 2025 at 18:54hrs | 473 | by Staff reporter
90,000 Zimbabweans in SA apply for exemption permits
More than 90,000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa have applied for waivers to regularise their stay and avoid the threat of deportation, the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa has revealed. The disc...Published: 31 Jul 2025 at 08:21hrs | 322 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit deadline nears
More than 90,000 Zimbabwean nationals have submitted applications for various visa categories, permits, and waivers to South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as the clock ticks down to the fi...Published: 29 Jul 2025 at 23:45hrs | 951 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabweans caught between two broken health systems
When Matilda Sibanda left Bulawayo for South Africa ten years ago, her decision was driven by Zimbabwe's collapsing healthcare system. Now 34, she finds herself in a devastating limbo - unable to acce...Published: 28 Jul 2025 at 14:19hrs | 446 | by Staff reporter
South Africa introduces new immigration stamps at all border posts
The Border Management Authority (BMA), in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, has announced the implementation of new ...Published: 26 Jul 2025 at 11:35hrs | 2447 | by Staff reporter
South Africans, Zimbabweans pray together after xenophobic attacks
Last month's killing of a South African man in Valencia, Addo, ignited devastating xenophobic revenge attacks that left at least four immigrants dead, dozens injured, and hundreds of families displace...Published: 25 Jun 2025 at 09:08hrs | 505 | by Staff reporter
Mnangagwa critic seeks SA asylum
Wellington Masiiwa, popularly known by his activist name Nyokayemabhunu, has formally applied for asylum in South Africa as he fights extradition to Zimbabwe, citing fears of political persecution....Published: 16 Jun 2025 at 15:12hrs | 402 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwe miners to get paupers' burial in SA
The North West health department is awaiting essential documentation, including death certificates, to proceed with the burial of 23 bodies of illegal miners recently recovered from abandoned shafts i...Published: 16 Jun 2025 at 14:59hrs | 51 | by Staff reporter
Another Zimbabwean dies after xenophobic attacks in Addo
A 24-year-old Zimbabwean man, Apology Mandiudza, died last Tuesday in hospital, nine days after a brutal mob attack in Valencia, Addo. He was the fourth immigrant to lose his life in a wave of xenopho...Published: 12 Jun 2025 at 18:58hrs | 397 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabweans shielded from arrest in South Africa
The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed with costs the Department of Home Affairs' attempt to overturn an interim interdict, previously granted in favour of the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation, prot...Published: 10 Jun 2025 at 10:02hrs | 1237 | by Staff reporter
Supreme Court could reshape the legal status of Zimbabweans in SA
In a landmark ruling that could reshape the legal status of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has rejected an appeal by the Minister of Home Affairs ...Published: 07 Jun 2025 at 10:37hrs | 2910 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean exemption permits saga returns to South African court
The legal saga over the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) returns to court on Tuesday as the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) hears the Department of Home Affairs' appeal against a ruling that temporaril...Published: 12 May 2025 at 19:22hrs | 10304 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwe linked domestic workers' 17-year fight for identity in SA
A nightmare journey of more than 17 years came to an end last week for a 36-year-old domestic worker who has been in a battle with the Department of Home Affairs to obtain a birth certificate, so that...Published: 12 Apr 2025 at 09:15hrs | 212 | by Staff reporter
SA extends visa, permit deadline for Zimbabweans
South Africa's Ministry of Home Affairs has granted a temporary reprieve to thousands of foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, by extending the deadline for visa and permit holders whose documents...Published: 02 Apr 2025 at 08:54hrs | 300 | by Staff reporter
Cape Independence Briton NOT a South African citizen
Craig says CIAG is in talks with the Trump administration for a planned meeting in April to gain support for Western Cape secession.The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) leader, Phil Cra...Published: 27 Mar 2025 at 09:05hrs | 1025 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean permit holders say life in SA has become intolerable
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association (Zepha) has urged the Zimbabwean government to facilitate an urgent voluntary repatriation programme for Zimbabweans living in South Africa, citing wo...Published: 03 Mar 2025 at 11:57hrs | 1689 | by Staff reporter
South Africa launches countrywide blitz on illegal immigrants
South Africa has announced a nationwide campaign to flush out illegal immigrants, citing economic pressures likely to be worsened by recent sanctions imposed by Donald Trump's United States government...Published: 27 Feb 2025 at 14:03hrs | 2375 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean CFO denied bail over fraudulent SA permanent residence permit
A Zimbabwean national accused of using a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit when applying for employment has been denied bail. Kudakwashe Mpofu, 33, the Chief Financial ...Published: 15 Feb 2025 at 18:36hrs | 3210 | by Staff reporter
SA banks freeze Zep holders' accounts
South African banks have frozen the accounts of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders, claiming it was a system error. However, the sudden account freezes have caused significant distress, with ZE...Published: 14 Jan 2025 at 14:14hrs | 276 | by Staff reporter
South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman fined for bribery attempt
A South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman, Prince Dube, has been slapped with a hefty fine after being convicted of attempting to bribe investigators probing his identity document. Dube, the directo...Published: 14 Dec 2024 at 10:45hrs | 484 | by Staff reporter
Confusion reigns as Friday ZEP deadline looms
Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders in South Africa are raising concerns that they will be unable to meet the Friday, November 29 deadline to apply for a further one-year exemption due to signific...Published: 27 Nov 2024 at 07:14hrs | 1714 | by Staff reporter
Know your Zimbabwe ID number
The Zimbabwe National ID is a critical document for citizens, serving as a means of identification, voting registration, and access to various government services. It contains coded information t...Published: 21 Nov 2024 at 07:50hrs | 10374 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabweans hail new SA visa regime
Zimbabweans in South Africa have expressed optimism following recent efforts by the South African Department of Home Affairs to expedite visa adjudication and digitise documentation. These changes are...Published: 06 Nov 2024 at 16:56hrs | 84181 | by Staff reporter
Reasons why South Africans treat the 13 digit ID number like a qualification
South Africa's green ID book has been used as the country's main identity document for 44 years, during which time it has only received a handful of minor security upgrades. Blacks only started using ...Published: 29 Oct 2024 at 14:20hrs | 1680 | by Staff reporter
SA assures Zimbabwe exemption permit holders amid new visa system
The South African government has sought to reassure holders of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) regarding the newly implemented points-based system for critical skills and general work visas, addressi...Published: 23 Oct 2024 at 07:56hrs | 1406 | by Staff reporter
Revoke CapeXit leader's SA citizenship
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has criticised Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber for failing to act against Phil Craig, leader of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG).The p...Published: 16 Oct 2024 at 17:41hrs | 757 | by Staff reporter
South Africa intensifies crackdown on foreigners
South Africa is ramping up efforts to tackle illegal immigration with a renewed crackdown on undocumented immigrants, implementing a series of measures that include roadblocks, house searches, restaur...Published: 19 Sep 2024 at 08:33hrs | 2142 | by Staff reporter
Hope at last for Zimbabweans in South Africa
In November 2021, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) abruptly announced that it would not extend the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP), leaving hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans scrambl...Published: 11 Sep 2024 at 11:52hrs | 6706 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean gold syndicate kingpin accused of acquiring fake South African ID
AN investigation into illicit gold mining has uncovered how one of the accused obtained a fraudulent identity document, 12 years after arriving in South Africa.The home affairs officer probing...Published: 07 Sep 2024 at 10:29hrs | 10307 | by Staff reporter
2 arrested for allegedly manufacturing fake money
Two men have been arrested for allegedly manufacturing counterfeit US dollar and rand currency from a house in Pretoria.Jude Yaya Oka and Evans Akor Tiku were arrested on Tuesday by the Pretor...Published: 06 Sep 2024 at 07:42hrs | 297 | by Staff reporter
How Zimbabwean accused in gold syndicate acquired SA ID
An investigation into illicit gold mining has uncovered how one of the accused obtained a fraudulent identity document, 12 years after arriving in SA.The home affairs officer probing the case ...Published: 06 Sep 2024 at 07:41hrs | 555 | by Staff reporter
SA Home Affairs to issue digital Zimbabwe Exemption Permits
THE South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will deliver the outcomes of visa waiver applications via e-mail to applicants, starting with Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs).DHA minister,...Published: 01 Sep 2024 at 10:22hrs | 632 | by Staff reporter
Miss South Africa Contestant Faces Identity Theft Allegations and Online Abuse
A major scandal has erupted in South Africa after Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the competition amid allegations of identity theft involving her mother. The ...Published: 21 Aug 2024 at 16:51hrs | 940 | by Staff Reporter
SA's Home Affairs may have to pay Zimbabwean R1 million
The Department of Home Affairs will likely have to pay damages to the tune of R1 million to an illegal immigrant after the Eastern Cape High Court ruled that she was unlawfully detained for a month....Published: 15 Aug 2024 at 08:00hrs | 8842 | by Staff reporter
Stop the Victimisation of Chidimma Adetshina, she is a black African
In the midst of the ongoing Miss South Africa 2024 competition, one contestant has found herself at the center of a national controversy - Chidimma Adetshina. Since being crowned as one of the top 16 ...Published: 02 Aug 2024 at 10:37hrs | 361 | by Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
SA Home Affairs to clamp down on visa corruption
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said measures were in place in his department to clamp down on fraudulent activities in the issuing of visas to foreign nationals.He was responding to parl...Published: 02 Aug 2024 at 08:07hrs | 988 | by Sgtaff reporter
South Africa to consult over Zimbabweans facing deportation
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has announced plans to consult on the future of approximately 230,000 Zimbabwean and Lesotho migrants after a court halted their deportation attempts, reports...Published: 19 Jul 2024 at 19:38hrs | 3611 | by Staff Reporter
Clarity on Zimbabwe exemption permits deadline in South Africa
THE National Employers' Association of South Africa (NEASA) on Thursday provided clarity for all affected parties on the relevant deadlines and periods of validity of the the Zimbabwean exemption perm...Published: 08 Jul 2024 at 11:05hrs | 40 | by Agencies
Reprieve for SA migrant workers
South Africa's new Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has extended the temporary concession for migrant workers awaiting visa, waiver, and appeal outcomes until December 31, 2024. This exte...Published: 05 Jul 2024 at 10:57hrs | 5 | by Staff reporter
South Africa's green ID books to be phased out
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa is significantly delayed in its plan to replace green ID books with smart ID cards. Initially intended to be completed by 2022, the slow adoption r...Published: 20 Jun 2024 at 17:02hrs | 87 | by Reuters
Zimbabwe Exemption Permit extension a temporary relief but ....
EMILY Machingauta (44), a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (Zep) holder, has welcomed the decision by the government of South Africa to grant a two-year extension to Zimbabwean permit holders.The wai...Published: 15 Apr 2024 at 06:06hrs | 18 | by Sally Nyakanyanga
5 Zimbabweans escape from South Africa's Lindela repatriation camp
SIXTY-NINE foreign nationals, among them five Zimbabweans, on Wednesday escaped from Lindela Repatriation Centre - under South Africa's Department of Home Affairs– where they were staying while awai...Published: 22 Mar 2024 at 09:38hrs | 3 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean man got top job using fake SA permit
Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has called on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe irregularities at the department.This comes after an illegal foreign national from Zimbabw...Published: 19 Mar 2024 at 13:00hrs | 11 | by Staff reporter
SA authorities launch 'Operation Vala Umgodi' along the Limpopo River
THE smuggling of goods between Zimbabwe and South Africa has become a perennial headache forcing authorities in both countries to tighten screws on crime and at times running collaborative operations....Published: 11 Mar 2024 at 16:37hrs | 4 | by Staff reporter
South Africa to probe 20 years of rot in issuance of visas
President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) the go-ahead to probe allegations of maladministration in the issuance of visas and other official documents by the department ...Published: 19 Feb 2024 at 15:07hrs | 3 | by Staff reporter
Zimbabwean truckers, refused licence renewals in SA, head for Poland
Zimbabwean truckers are being denied the ability to renew their South African driver's licences as the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) system winds down, with a little less than two years to run befor...Published: 19 Jan 2024 at 14:00hrs | 18 | by Staff reporter
South Africa grants an extension of visa concessions
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has granted an extension of visa concessions for individuals with pending waivers and visa applications until June 2024.Those with pending waive...Published: 25 Dec 2023 at 15:58hrs | 10 | by Staff reporter
South Africa cracks down on Zimbabwean children entering the country to visit their parents
The government is cracking down on Zimbabwean children entering South Africa. These children are mostly entering the country to be with their parents over the December holidays.The use of unla...Published: 15 Dec 2023 at 07:14hrs | 1 | by Staff reporter
SA Police intercept more people, including kids trafficked from Zimbabwe
Police in Limpopo said they have intercepted a convoy of motor vehicles which were travelling from Zimbabwe and heading to Polokwane, carrying more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals.Limp...Published: 13 Dec 2023 at 19:09hrs | 43 | by Staff Reporter
SA Police intercept more people trafficked from Zimbabwe
Police in Limpopo said they have intercepted a convoy of motor vehicles which were travelling from Zimbabwe and heading to Polokwane, carrying more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals.Limp...Published: 12 Dec 2023 at 06:08hrs | 15 | by Staff reporter
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