South Africa has extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) until 28 May 2027, as announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Amos Schreiber in a public notice. The ZEP, introduced before 2009 to manage the influx of Zimbabwean migrants, has been repeatedly extended to prevent deportations and to allow work opportunities. Under Minister’s Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, existing ZEPs will remain valid for an additional 18 months after the current expiry date of 28 November 2025. This follows a previous extension in November last year, which came after a court ruling declared the termination of the ZEP illegal.
According to the 2022 census, about one million Zimbabweans live in South Africa, representing 45 % of the country’s immigrant population. Many have migrated because of economic and political instability at home, often entering illegally via the Limpopo border. The South African government has been grappling with undocumented migrants, launching a campaign known as Operation Dudula that targets foreigners without permits in Johannesburg, the industrial capital. The campaign has raised concerns about migrants’ access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
To seek a permanent solution for the ZEP, Minister Schreiber appointed an Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) in April 2024. The IAB has met several times to discuss the issue and will consult critical stakeholders to determine the future of ZEP holders. The extension is significant because it allows Zimbabwean migrants to continue living and working in South Africa without fear of deportation. However, a long‑term resolution remains uncertain, and the government must balance the needs of its citizens with its international obligations to protect migrant rights. The IAB’s consultation process is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ZEP’s future and addressing the broader challenges of migration in South Africa.
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