Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber made a last-minute decision on Friday morning to extend the validity of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit ZEP after it was set to expire on that day, causing anxiety among thousands of Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa.
In an announcement published in the government gazette on 29 November, Schreiber confirmed that the ZEP would remain valid until 28 November 2025.
This extension allows the government to comply with a ruling from the Gauteng High Court, which ordered that Schreiber consult with affected ZEP holders and other stakeholders regarding the future of the permit system. The court ruling, previously reported by GroundUp, highlighted the need for consultation before any changes to the ZEP could be made.
