Pretoria – The South African government has granted a lifeline to thousands of Zimbabwean nationals by extending the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) until May 2027.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber made the announcement on Tuesday through Regulation Gazette No. 53484, confirming that the permits—originally due to expire in November 2025—will remain valid for an additional 18 months.
Under the new directive, ZEP holders may continue to live, work, and study in South Africa without applying for new visas, as long as they comply with other immigration laws. The extension also protects them from arrest or deportation for not possessing valid exemption certificates during this period.
Schreiber said the Immigration Advisory Board, appointed in April, has been meeting to discuss both immediate and long-term solutions for ZEP holders, noting that broader consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing.
The policy shift comes after years of legal battles and uncertainty for thousands of Zimbabweans who have lived in South Africa for over a decade under the special permit scheme. The Gauteng High Court had earlier ruled that former minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s attempt to terminate the programme in 2023 was unlawful due to lack of public consultation.
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