Vusumuzi Dube
Sunday News Reporter
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, has extended the validity of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) until November 28, 2025.
This decision comes as a huge relief to thousands of Zimbabweans who were facing uncertainty and panic as the permit was set to expire on Friday.
The extension is aimed at allowing Minister Schreiber to fulfill his duty, as directed by the Gauteng High Court, to consult with affected ZEP holders and other stakeholders on the future of the current dispensation. The Immigration Advisory Board will also be reactivated to facilitate this process.
This is not the first time the ZEP has been extended. In December 2023, the South African government announced a two-year extension of the permit until November 2025.
Additionally, in 2023, the Department of Home Affairs granted a six-month extension for ZEP holders until December 2023.
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit has been a vital mechanism allowing Zimbabweans to legally stay and work in South Africa.
With this latest extension, affected individuals can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they have more time to secure their stay in the country.
Bongani Ndlovu