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.
That decision
faced legal challenges, and in 2023, the Johannesburg High Court ruled that the
termination of ZEP had been unlawful, directing the government to reconsider
the matter through a fair and lawful process.
The latest
extension grants ZEP holders several protections:
Protection from
deportation: Holders cannot be arrested, detained, or deported for lacking a
valid exemption certificate.
Entry and exit
flexibility: ZEP holders may enter and depart South Africa under certain
conditions while complying with other entry requirements.
Simplified
application process: When applying for other visas or temporary permits,
holders are not required to produce a valid exemption certificate.
The government
has also indicated that consultations with affected ZEP holders and
stakeholders will continue to determine the long-term future of the program.
The Immigration Advisory Board is being reactivated to ensure compliance with
the High Court’s directive and facilitate fair consultation.
The extension
provides ZEP holders with crucial time to regularize their immigration status,
apply for mainstream visas, or make arrangements to leave South Africa.
Officials emphasize that this move demonstrates the government’s commitment to
a lawful and fair immigration process.
ZEP holders are
encouraged to consult the Department of Home Affairs for further guidance and
updates. IOL
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